Moonlight Denial: Shades of Moonlight Book One

Beethoven let out a gruff snort as he jumped down from the bed. He would have loved to stay there and snooze the night away, but it had become too crowded what with the wriggling bodies that would not stop moving and every so often a foot would accidentally jab him uncomfortably. He settled for lying on the floor until the two males were done with their play.

“Ow, Ethan, not so hard,” Nicoli hissed under his breath as Ethan caught his nipple between his teeth and bit down just a little more than he liked.

Oh, shut up, you like it,” Ethan said with a grin before soothing the abused bud with his tongue.

He then crawled up the body that was underneath him and began kissing Nicoli’s neck. He nipped the flesh ever so lightly before applying a soft suction. He could feel Nicoli’s pulse dance under his tongue and he could practically taste the blood underneath it. His fangs had already descended, there was no way he could stop them or pull them back, but he wasn’t going to use them. Not just yet. There was too much fun to be had first and, besides, there was something about prolonging the wait that heightened his arousal.

His intentions soon became apparent to Nicoli.

“Are you just gonna keep suckling or are you going to take a bite?” he asked.

Ethan chuckled as he left the tempting throat and placed a chaste kiss on Nicoli’s lips.

“It’s all about the foreplay, Nicoli. All about the foreplay,” he said with a grin before kissing him again.

They kissed leisurely. Not rushed. Not aggressive. There was just a slow, methodical movement of lips and an unhurried delving of tongues into willing caverns. Nicoli found it excited him to tease his tongue along the sides of Ethan’s fangs and was amused at how they clicked against his own teeth when the kiss deepened.

Nicoli whimpered when Ethan’s pelvis lightly grounded against his own, rubbing their apparent arousals against each other. He hooked his legs around Ethan’s hips to draw him closer, so they were flush against each other as the grinding continued.

“Ethan,” Nicoli moaned plaintively as the heat pooled in his groin. He was into foreplay, but not when he felt like he was about to burst. A sharp gasp escaped him when Ethan gave a quick thrust.

Ethan gave a deep, rumbling chuckle as he pushed himself up on his hands. He stared at Nicoli, taking in his flushed face and heavy breathing. He must have been pleased with what he saw because a satisfied growl rose from deep within his chest and he sat back on his knees.

“Now I get to do something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time,” he said, his voice heavy with lust.

“And what’s that?” Nicoli asked, tilting his head coyly and gazing back with half-lidded eyes.

Ethan leaned down to kiss him. As he did his hands found there way to Nicoli’s chest and his fingers began to massage the skin there.

“I get to see you completely naked,” he said with a grin. He sat back again and his hands began to trail down Nicoli’s body. They followed every curve and nails lightly ran across the soft, supple skin. When his fingers came in contact with Nicoli’s boxers Ethan’s eyes flicked up to his soon to be lover’s face.

Nicoli had his bottom lip in his between his teeth and his fingers were tightly grasping the blankets beneath him in anticipation. Lust was evident in his eyes and his whole body was begging Ethan to continue. When Ethan still did not carry on Nicoli gave him a nod of approval.

It was what Ethan had been waiting for, not only because it was fun to torment Nicoli, but because he wanted that last verification that this was actually going to happen. He hooked his fingers into the material and, ever so slowly, began to pull them down, building up the suspense and his desire.

His progress stopped when the boxers were past the hips and Nicoli’s cock was released from its confines. It was half erect from all the activity and it had begun to leak a bit of precum from the tip that trailed down to the shaft. Ethan could not help himself and bent over to place a kiss on the head of Nicoli’s manhood.

Nicoli moaned and squirmed at the contact. He lifted his hips up for more touches of that nature, but Ethan had already sat back and continued to pull off the offending piece of clothing. Up Nicoli’s long legs they went then down, brushing against calves and ankles until they finally slipped off his feet.

Once the boxers were tossed aside Ethan busied himself with taking in Nicoli in his most natural form. He was splayed out on the bed, unabashed by his current nudity. In fact, it was more like he relished the fact that Ethan was devouring him with his eyes. His dark brown hair was fanned out on the pillow, with a few strands clinging to his face and neck.

What struck Ethan most, though, was that he did not know that Nicoli was so lean. His clothes had always been loose and partially baggy, hiding the fact that he had a skinny, lean physique that was toned from years of playing sports. Ethan was aware, however, that since Nicoli’s “retirement” he was filling out and softer in just a few places and the muscles underneath were not as defined as they could be and, at one point, had been. That did not stop him from being mouth watering, though.

He was the picture of youth with a hint of a slowly corrupting innocence. Sinful and pure melded together into a sweet, intoxicating mixture. Ethan could just eat him up and, with the way Nicoli was staring at him with his piercing blue eyes, he was going to.

“Are you going to stare at me all night?” Nicoli asked, casually moving his legs so they were spread in invitation.

“I’m just admiring how beautiful you really are,” Ethan said softly and it did not escape his notice when Nicoli’s face flushed.

“Thanks,” he said and ran his fingers through his hair then left his hand up by his head. “But that doesn’t answer my question.” Nicoli grinned playfully and lifted his foot and began kneading Ethan’s crotch with his toes. “Come on, big guy, I want to see if you’re all talk. Show me that you can walk the walk.”

Ethan grinned widely, giving a full show of his lethal fangs. He took hold of Nicoli’s foot and gave it a good yank so that he was brought closer.

“Oh, I’ll walk the walk, so much so you won’t be able to do any walking tomorrow,” Ethan purred as he lifted the captured foot and began to trail kisses down it to the ankle.

Nicoli sighed contentedly and let his head fall back and his eyes close.

“I hope that’s a promise you can keep,” he shot back. There was no reply, but the lips continued their path from his ankle up the leg and to the knee. He moaned softly and his breathing became more rapid as the adventures mouth made its way up his inner thigh. He had to choke back a groan when the lips disappeared and a tongue replaced them at the base of his cock.

“Fuck,” Nicoli said, opening his eyes to watch Ethan run his tongue up his shaft agonizingly slow.

“All in good time, Nicoli,” Ethan said with a chuckle before placing another kiss on the tip of Nicoli’s manhood. He placed more light kisses, driving the other wild, before placing his tongue flat on the underside of the head and swirled the muscle around the organ around a few times.

Nicoli’s fingers were digging into the blankets again. He fought to keep his body still, to receive more of the pleasure he was being given. It was too good and all he could do was want more.

It did not last, though. The blinding lust clouding his brain lifted slightly, then dissipated all together when he saw Ethan’s mouth open wide, intending to take his cock full into it. This would have been fine under any normal circumstances, but not when Nicoli saw a flash of wicked ivory.

“Whoa! Whoa, wait,” Nicoli said, bolting upright. He grabbed Ethan by his hair and yanked his head up.

“Ow, what’s wrong?” Ethan asked in confusion as he sat up.

“We are not going there. No way in hell.”

Ethan stared at him, still not comprehending what the matter was.

“What? You don’t like oral or something?” he asked.

“Oh, I like it just fine,” Nicoli replied. “But not from you. Probably never from you.”

“…why?”

Nicoli sighed in irritation and rolled his eyes. Ethan could be so dense sometimes.

“All right, let me spell it out for you. There is no way in hell you’re putting my dick in your mouth when your fangs are playing peek-a-boo.”

Ethan stared at him as he let the words sink in. Then he laughed and quickly covered his mouth so it would not be too loud.

“Hmm, I see your point,” he said with a grin after his laughing fit was over. “Awe, come on, Nicoli, doesn’t the sense of danger thrill you?” he then said as he ghosted his lips over Nicoli’s. “Most vampires find blow jobs plus fangs to be very erotic.”

Nicoli snorted and pushed against Ethan’s face with his hand to force him to sit back.

“Having a penis riddled with holes might be some kind of sick vampire fad, but none doin’ here. Your fangs come anywhere near my dick and I’ll go dentist on your ass and pull them out with rusty pliers,” Nicoli said, only half joking.

Ethan simply shrugged before his hands ran up Nicoli’s legs. His knees had closed, protecting his sensitive area from any danger, and Ethan massaged his legs and outer thighs to coax Nicoli to spread them again.

“All right, me and my big bad fangs will stay up here,” Ethan assured Nicoli then kissed him again. He could feel the tension leave Nicoli’s body as the kiss deepened and his legs slowly opened. “Besides,” Ethan said when he pulled away. “That means we can get to the main event that much sooner.”

Nicoli shared Ethan’s devilish smirk.

“Hell yeah to that,” he said as he laid his arms over Ethan’s broad shoulders and laced his fingers together. “Best idea I’ve heard all night.” He leaned in for another kiss which was quickly given to him in earnest.

Nicoli wanted to kick himself. Why oh why had he not given into this sooner? Ethan was right, he was too prideful. He had met a man that could go toe to toe with him in their bickering and could creep underneath his skin without him even realizing it and it had ruffled his feathers to the point he was ignoring his own body’s needs. It did not matter now, though. He was going to enjoy the time they had as much as he could and it was not going to be hard. Ethan’s hands and lips were skilled, more skilled than any of the previous men Nicoli had slept with. Who knew what sex with him was going to be like. The tips of Nicoli’s fingers and toes tingled at just the thought.

Nicoli cracked open an eye when Ethan’s lips stopped and his whole body froze.

“What? What’s wrong?” he asked with furrowed brows.

Ethan simply sighed and let his head fall on Nicoli’s shoulder.

“Crap, I don’t have any kind of lube on me,” he muttered. He lifted his head and gave Nicoli a lopsided grin. “How do you feel about using spit?”

“Okay, for one, that’s gross. I don’t need your saliva in my ass, thank you very much,” Nicoli said. “And two.” He lifted his hands and squished Ethan’s cheeks together. “You underestimate me too much. In my closet, bottom right corner in a shoebox marked ‘Old Tapes.’”

Nicoli blinked when there was a whoosh of air and his hands held nothing. He laughed and shook his head when he saw his closet door was open with a frantic Ethan riffling through it.

“You keep your porn collection in a box that says ‘Birthday Cards’? Sneaky,” Ethan’s voice said from the closet.

“Hey, wrong box, Buddy. I said ‘Old Tapes’. Don’t be going through everything,” Nicoli chided him as he rested back on his hands. He flexed his toes as he waited until a soft whine caught his attention.

When he turned his head he saw big black eyes staring at him set into a curious, tilted golden head.

“Shit, I forgot you were in here,” Nicoli said to Beethoven as he got up from the bed. “Come on, boy, you have to go out until Daddy is finished with his fun.” He shuffled to the door, shivering slightly from the cool air. He had a thing about Beethoven being in the room when he had “Company.” It made him feel uncomfortable knowing his pooch was there and could possibly be watching. It must have been how parents felt when their children caught them in the act.

“There you go, just stay here and I’ll let you back in when I’m done,” Nicoli whispered as Beethoven slipped out of the room with a bowed head. “Lay down. Beethoven, lay down. Good, now stay. Just stay.”

When Beethoven laid down with a dejected whine Nicoli’s eyes flickered over to his parents’ bedroom door. His throat tightened. The door was open and for the first time he had the fear that maybe one of them was awake and would hear what was going on and check on him. The last thing he needed was for his parents to walk in on him having sex with a strange man.

Nicoli’s body jolted when fingers brushed against his hair and lips touched his bare neck.

“Don’t worry,” Ethan said in a hushed voice as he closed the door, blocking Nicoli’s view of the hallway and his parents’ bedroom. “They’re asleep. I can hear your fathers light snores and your mothers even breathing. I’ll know the second they wake up.”

“You need to stop reading my mind,” Nicoli said in a sigh, tilting his head to give easier access to his neck. He was spun around and pressed into the closed door. Ethan’s finger came under his chin and tilted his head up.

“I didn’t need to read your mind to know what you were worried about,” Ethan said with a smile then gently nipped Nicoli’s bottom lip before kissing him.

Nicoli let himself melt into the kiss. He slipped his arms around Ethan’s torso and pulled their bodies together. Ethan was only too happy to trap Nicoli between his body and the door. A moan rose from Nicoli, but there was one thing stopping him from fully enjoying the contact and that was the rough material that rubbed against his legs and pelvis.

“Why the hell are you still wearing pants?” Nicoli growled in displeasure.

“Oops,” Ethan said with a grin as he rested his hands up on the door, on either side of Nicoli’s head. “Would you like to help me get rid of them?” he asked.

“My pleasure,” Nicoli replied and leaned up to suck Ethan’s bottom lip into his mouth as his hands busied themselves in unbuttoning the unwanted pants. When the clothing was undone Nicoli delicately slid the pants and underwear off Ethan’s hips and continued to help them down until gravity took hold and pulled the garments on the ground.

With the clothes gone Nicoli’s hands traced the strong thighs they found and fingers teased jutting hips before skittering back to take handfuls of Ethan’s luscious hindquarters.

He was rewarded for the action by a rippling growl on his lips before strong hands went under his own rear and coaxed him upwards. Nicoli got the hint and easily hopped up and held himself up by wrapping his legs around Ethan’s waist. Arms circled his waist to keep him there and he could feel it when they started moving towards the bed. All the while their lips never parted from one another.

Ethan lowered them down once they reached their destination. Nicoli groaned into the other’s mouth when their naked bodies were flush against each other and Ethan’s delicious weight pressed down on him. He arched his body to feel more of it and sparks of pleasure danced across his body when their erections rubbed against each other.

“You have no idea how much I want to fuck you,” Ethan said in between kisses that were beginning to go from calm to frenzied. “You’ve been this teasing little taste on the tip of my tongue and I just want to sink my teeth into you and devour you.” He was cut off from saying more as fingers buried themselves into his hair and wrenched his head back.

“Then why don’t you fuckin’ stop talking about it and just do it?” Nicoli sneered. Daring him, challenging him and accenting his words with warning nips along Ethan’s throat.

Ethan laughed as his hand reached up and grabbed the tube of lube that he had found and had tossed onto the bed.

“Whatever you say, Kid,” he said. He sat up and kneeled before Nicoli’s spread legs as he twisted open the cap to the tube. When his digits were well coated he rested his clean hand on the bed and leaned over Nicoli. “I can’t wait to see you writhe underneath me in maddening pleasure,” he whispered in a husky breath.

“You’re still just talking,” Nicoli retorted with a grin. It was soon wiped off his face when a slick finger unexpectedly made its presence known at his entrance. He moaned and dug his heels into the bed to try and push himself closer to that finger that was making teasing circles around the sensitive opening.

“What can I say? I love talking,” Ethan said. He smirked when Nicoli let out a strained cry and tossed his head when the digit finally ventured in. It was slow and steady until Ethan was in to the knuckle. He had to bite his lip. Nicoli was so hot inside. He wanted to bury himself into that heat right then and there, but he had to hold back his lust and his hunger just a while longer.

“Oh, Ethan,” Nicoli moaned as the finger moved inside him. In and out. In and out. Massaging his most intimate of places. A surprised gasp came from him when the finger made its way out and when it came back it had a friend with it.

The preparing process was torture. The fingers scissored and stretched his insides, trying to make sure he would be able to accommodate what was coming. In a way he loved the slow torture. It made him want it all the more. Crave it. Desire it.

Nicoli bit down on his knuckles when a third finger was added. A familiar burn in his passage was making itself apparent and he almost sobbed when the movement stopped.

“Are you all right?”

Ethan’s voice hardly broke through Nicoli’s lust clouded brain, but he nodded vigorously.

“Yes. Don’t stop. I’ll die if you do,” he choked out. He almost did not cover his mouth in time when the fingers inside him twisted and entered further than before.

“Such a dramatic little thing,” Ethan said with a dark, amused chuckle.

The fingers came quicker now. Nicoli could feel Ethan’s impatience in the jabbing motions and his own impatience was growing by the second. He wanted to feel Ethan inside him till he was full and ready to burst. It was all Nicoli could think about and Ethan must have been aware of these thoughts as with one, final thrust of his fingers, he brushed against that secret spot that had Nicoli screaming around his fist that he had shoved back into his mouth.

Once the blistering pleasure ebbed Nicoli found that he was gasping for breath and that the tips of his fingers and toes had gone momentarily numb.

“God, Ethan, please. I can’t take this anymore. I need you. Right now,” Nicoli begged between heavy breaths.

His reply was the removal of the digits, leaving him feeling heartbreakingly empty and incomplete. He watched with glazed eyes as Ethan coated his cock with more of the lube and, once done, he recapped the tube and tossed it somewhere on the floor. Nicoli squeaked as his legs were pulled up and draped over expansive shoulders, raising his backside off the bed. He was left staring into teal eyes that had sparked to life once more, the hunger long forgotten, or maybe the hunger was only set ablaze.

Nicoli whimpered and bit down on his bottom lips as he felt a much greater presence press against his entrance. His toes curled in anticipation and he could only beg and plead with Ethan with his eyes.

“I’m going to make sure you never forget this night,” Ethan vowed and with a measured thrust of his hips he began to sink into the warmth he had been dreaming about.

Nicoli let out a strained groan as his body was invaded in the most delicious of ways. He felt he was being split in two as Ethan sank deeper and deeper within his body. The key was to make sure his muscles stayed relaxed. They wanted to seize, to force out the intrusion, but there was no way in hell Nicoli was letting that happen.

Halfway in Ethan stilled to let Nicoli adjust to his girth. The tight passage squeezed and massaged his shaft in welcome. Tremors were skirting through his muscles and his fangs were aching. He wanted Nicoli so badly. His body. His blood. Everything.

“Do you know why I love having sex with humans?” Ethan asked, trying to distract himself enough to maintain his self control.

It took a while until Nicoli was able to answer. His breathing felt out of control and he could not get in enough air to form words. Finally he was able to collect some of his wits back.

“I could make a couple of guesses, but why?” he asked.

“Because you’re all so warm.”

Without warning Ethan slammed the rest of his cock into Nicoli and both fought to stifle wanton cries of ecstasy, pleasure, and pain. They were now joined together in the most physical and intimate way.

Nicoli felt like he could not breathe. The air he had reclaimed was just as quickly forced back out as he was filled so completely. The burning he had felt earlier was now a scorching fire that licked up his spine and set all of his nerves ablaze. It hurt so badly, but it was the best kind of hurt. It had been so long since he had felt this kind of pleasure mixed with pain. While it had been awhile since he had slept with anyone at all, it had been even longer since he had initiated sex with a man. He forgot just how much he loved it.

“Are…are you crying?”

Ethan’s strained voice broke through Nicoli’s haze of rapture and he was brought back to the world around him. He opened his eyes that he did not remember closing and stared into Ethan’s eyes that showed a great struggle between lust and concern. It was then Nicoli realized his cheeks felt wet and he brushed the back of his hand across them to find that they were indeed tears.

“Well, what do you expect?” Nicoli asked as he tried to focus on breathing and ignore that a part of Ethan’s anatomy was currently inside him and stretching his insides to full capacity. “You just suddenly shoved your freakin’ dick into me without a heads up. Two words. Not. Cool,” he said. He tried to glare, but he could not muster the strength too, it did not help that he was not actually mad.

Ethan grinned at seeing the old Nicoli spark back to life. He was beginning to miss the wily, sarcastic scamp. He placed a kiss on one of Nicoli’s knees that were still over his shoulders.

“My apologies,” Ethan said. “Next time I’ll put in a written form for consent.”

“Ass,” Nicoli grumbled.

“Yes, and yours feels lovely,” Ethan replied. Nicoli was just too much. He had an endearing scowl on his face, but the way that he was curled underneath Ethan in the most vulnerable of positions was far too good to be true. Ethan could not help but pull out a fraction and sink back in. The tremors in his body increased as the velvet vice massaged his shaft and the surprised gasp that came from Nicoli was music to his ears.

Ethan continued his shallow thrusting, spurred on by the pleasure sparking in his veins and the mewling coming from his new lover with each stroke. He took hold of Nicoli’s legs and bent forward more, almost bending Nicoli in half, so he could plunge in deeper and enjoy every bit of heat that the other had to offer. He was surprised when Nicoli’s hands were placed on his chest and began pushing him away.

“Wait. Wait, stop,” Nicoli told him breathlessly. He sighed in relief when Ethan slowed then stopped as he was asked.

“What? Why?” Ethan asked. A dark scowl then marred his features. “If you’ve suddenly had a change of heart you’re insane if you think I’m pulling out,” he growled in warning.

“I didn’t mean that kind of stop, Idiot,” Nicoli retorted, patting Ethan’s cheek. “I meant just stop for a second. Now, move with me really quick.”

“Why?” Ethan asked suspiciously.

“Just move, will ya?”

With guidance from Nicoli the two shifted together until they changed positions so Ethan was lying on his back with Nicoli sitting on top of him. Nicoli let out a hiss of pleasure as the new arrangement caused him to be fully seated on Ethan’s cock, pushing it in deeply.

“There, much better,” Nicoli said with a content sigh and his eyes closed. He relished the new position for a few seconds before opening his eyes and staring down at Ethan, who also seemed to like the move, but looked confused. Nicoli grinned at him, enjoying the switch. “To answer the question that you’re dying to ask, this was my idea, so I’ll be calling the shots on how we do this.”

Ethan stared at him, but soon shared the same grin.

“All right,” he said, putting his hands behind his head. “Call away.”

“My pleasure. Literally,” Nicoli replied as he balanced on his knees and toes then placed his hands on Ethan’s firm stomach to brace himself. Once he was poised and ready he slowly lifted his body upward, feeling Ethan leave him inch by inch and just when the head of Ethan’s cock was about to exit, Nicoli slammed back down, spearing himself in just a way that his prostate was hit full force.

He tossed his head back and bit down on his lip, hard, to keep from screaming. His body shook uncontrollably and he was faintly aware of the pleasured moan Ethan released and that his body had tensed underneath him.

“Damn it, Nicoli, you feel too fucking good,” Ethan hissed, his hands going to Nicoli’s hips.

“We’re just getting started,” Nicoli told him with a grin. He began using his legs to pull himself up and fall back down. He rocked his hips to feel every inch of Ethan’s manhood and his rhythm increased as the fire in his belly grew. He was lost in a swirl of sensations. The way Ethan’s cock pumped in and out of him. How it felt to have Ethan’s hands on his hips, guiding him, helping him up, pulling him down. Beads of sweat were beginning to appear on his skin, filling his nose with a mixture of his and Ethan’s combined musk and the distinct scent of sex.

The sound of their love making was also adding to his lustful madness. The noisy, slurping resonance of their bodies craving each other, completing each other, and the rhythmic slap of skin seeking out skin were the sounds of sin itself. It was all too incredible and he was sure it could never get better than this…or so he thought.

Nicoli let out a mix between a gasp and a strangled cry as Ethan unexpectedly sat up and sank his fangs into soft flesh. The flash of pain momentarily derailed Nicoli’s moment of rapture, but he was rewarded for his endurance by a blinding wave of ecstasy that flowed through his body and seared him to the point that he could not remember where he was or even who he was. All he could do was focus on his frantic movements and the teeth in his neck that was mounting his bliss to an unimaginably high peak until he thought he was going to truly die.

His climax hit him like a freight train. Hard and fast. His body seized and shuddered as he came and he felt it splatter across his chest and stomach. Before he could come down from his high Ethan reached his own completion and Nicoli was wrapped in arms of steel as he was filled with warm evidence of Ethan’s satisfaction. If it was possible, Nicoli would have come again by that action alone.

Nicoli slumped against Ethan, who was still casually feeding from his throat. His eyes closed in complete contentment and he let Ethan continue his meal. In all reality, the continuous pull at his pulse was somewhat soothing and helped bring him back down to earth.

It was then Nicoli realized there was a coppery taste in his mouth. It could have had something to do with a strange liquid trickling onto his tongue from a foreign object that was resting in his mouth.

Nicoli blinked open his eyes and curiously observed the intrusive object. He was surprised to find that it was Ethan’s fingers. He could not fathom when Ethan had time to do that or why he did not notice when it was done, but from what he could guess the fingers were put into his mouth and he had bit them so hard they were now bleeding. To Nicoli, this was not the way to end such a perfect encounter.

Just as Nicoli removed the fingers from his mouth the fangs were taken out of his neck. He sat back, still impaled on Ethan’s softening member, and cringed when the blood in his mouth leaked out of the sides of his lips.

“What the hell were the fingers all about?” Nicoli asked as he resisted the urge to spit the blood onto the bed or floor.

Ethan grinned as he pulled Nicoli in and began teasingly licking the blood from his lips.

“You were beginning to scream. I had to shut you up somehow,” he replied as he used his bloody fingers to trace Nicoli’s lips, smearing the crimson liquid across the already rosy mouth.

“Oh…” Nicoli muttered and allowed Ethan to lick away all the blood on his face. “I hate the taste of blood. You better do something about it,” he then said and was not disappointed when Ethan smothered his mouth with his own. The kiss was slow and Ethan’s tongue leisurely cleaned Nicoli’s mouth of all excess blood. When Ethan was done he bent his head and began lapping at the bite mark on Nicoli’s neck that was weeping his crimson essence down his shoulder and chest.

Once the puncture wounds were healed Nicoli raised himself on his knees to let Ethan’s cock slip from his entrance. When it popped out a wave of come followed and coated his inner thighs.

Ethan let out a low growl when he saw this and was quick to smash Nicoli up against him and ravage his lips in a hungry kiss.

“Damn, you are sexy incarnate, you know that?” Ethan asked his hand trailing down to touch the glistening sexual essence and tease Nicoli’s messy entrance.

Nicoli moaned and fought not to push back on those fingers.

“That’s nice to know,” he said with a tired smile.

Spent and exhausted, the two lovers lay down and enveloped each other with arms and legs. Their bodies were soiled with a mixture of come and sweat and they could not care less.

“So, did you enjoy it?” Ethan asked after they had a chance to recover a bit.

“Two words for you. Holy and Shit,” Nicoli replied, burrowing his face into Ethan neck. He smiled when he could feel the chuckle that issued. “Man, did you even touch me when I jizzed? I mean, at all? I was too out of it to notice.”

“Nope, one hand was busy keeping you quiet and the other was on your hip…you might have bruises tomorrow, just a heads up,” Ethan told him.

“…wow,” Nicoli murmured, not even caring about the warning of bruises. He had never experienced sex so intense that he was able to come with no assistance. His F.L.S truly was a blessing in disguise.

“Sooooo…does that mean there’s a chance of this again in the future?” Ethan asked.

“Fuck yes,” Nicoli said, lifting himself up enough to look at Ethan. “You are now officially my sex outlet.” His expression then fell into a frown. “This is purely casual…you know that, right?”

Ethan laughed and ruffled Nicoli’s already disheveled hair.

“Of course, you’re a tasty little morsel in the sack, Kid, but I don’t really ever see a relationship developing any further than just sex buddies,” he said.

“Phew, good,” Nicoli said in relief as he plopped his head back down. “I didn’t want you getting the wrong idea.”

“Nope, casual is all I want from this.”

“And blood, right?” Nicoli asked with a chuckle.

“Yes, blood is the great icing on the cake,” Ethan replied. “Speaking of which, thank you for letting me feed from you. It did the trick.”

“Good, it was the least I could do and, hell, you gave me some nice compensation for it.” Before he could say much else a yawn overtook Nicoli and his drowsiness took hold of him. “I really need sleep now,” he muttered as he cuddled against Ethan, who now felt softer and warmer.

“Go to sleep then. I’ll stay with you until you do,” Ethan said with an affectionate smile.

“You know what, you’re annoying, you’re an ass, and you are so egotistical it’s not even funny,” Nicoli said, his voice getting softer and softer. “But you’re not that bad of a guy. Not bad…at all.”

It was not long before Nicoli fell asleep against Ethan. His face was serene and showed no hints of the horrendous day he had had. Ethan, though, did not look as pleased. He could not banish a gnawing sensation in his stomach that threatened to eat away at his entire being.

“Actually, Nicoli, I am a bad guy,” he told a passed out Nicoli, who was deaf to the world. “I’m a terrible monster and what’s worse…is that you’ll never know just how terrible I truly am.”

*******************************************************************

Ethan walked into the clan’s house with his ruined, bloody shirt slung over his shirt. He would dispose of it later. At that moment he was tired and wanted to go to sleep. Not only that, but his hunger had only been curbed by Nicoli’s blood, not quenched completely. The problem was that he did not have the energy to go and hunt now. It could wait till later.

Sleep was not to be his at that moment when a sweeping presence caressed his mind.

“Ethan, I would like to speak with you,” Conrad told him.

Ethan sighed. Why him? Why now? The last thing he wanted was to get lectured by Conrad, but he was not about to argue.

“Yes, Father. Be up in a minute.” he answered. He let out another long, drawn out sigh before making his way up to Conrad’s den. Could the night get any longer?

Ethan slipped into Conrad’s study. Unlike the rest of the house it had a good deal of furniture inside. A few bookshelves lined the walls, filled to the brim with books. Conrad always loved being surrounded by his favorite literature. One lamp lit the room. It stood beside a great oak desk and Conrad sat behind it, his grey eyes lifting when Ethan entered the room.

“I’m glad to see you’re finally back,” Conrad said, his eyes going back to the book in his hand. “I hear it has been a rather long day for you.”

“Yes, quite. So, not to be rude, I’d like to keep this short. I’m really tired,” Ethan said as he approached the desk.

“Of course, I didn’t plan to keep you for long,” Conrad told him. “I just wanted to clarify something with you.”

“And what’s that?”

“Andre and Felix told me that Omen kidnapped your little human in order to get him to tell him where the book was. They also said that the boy refused to tell him. Was even bent on dying before he would.” Conrad’s eyes flickered up to Ethan. “Is that true?”

Ethan was taken aback. This was news to him. He knew Nicoli had nearly told Omen what he had wanted. Nicoli had confessed it to them. He was surprised that Andre and Felix would lie to Conrad about something like that, but he was also pleased. Nicoli did not need anymore hassle at the moment.

“Of course, it’s true,” Ethan told him, masking his surprise. “I would not choose a human that would spill the beans so easily. Do you think so little of me?”

“It’s not you I think so little of,” Conrad murmured as he snapped his book closed. “I just wanted to make sure that we had no…problems that needed to be rectified.” He rose from his chair and placed the book back on the shelf where it belonged.

The true meaning behind Conrad’s words was not lost on Ethan. If Nicoli did prove to be untrustworthy than his promised execution would be moved up to much sooner. Something that Ethan did not want.

“You don’t have to worry. Nicoli was rattled, but Omen didn’t get the location out of him. And even if he did it wouldn’t matter,” Ethan said.

“It wouldn’t? I fail to see how,” Conrad said as he walked back to the desk and stood opposite of Ethan.

“Even if Omen knew where the book was in here, what could he possibly do? He is a powerful vampire hunter, I’ll give him that, but even he couldn’t stand up to the seven of us. He would never set foot in this house without one of us stopping him.”

“Even so, you know how much I value loyalty. In this family, in this world, nothing matters more than loyalty,” Conrad told him. “But, if the boy truly did not say anything then we don’t have a problem. Just make sure you keep him under control like you said you would and the rest of us will keep an eye on him and on Omen, just to make sure he doesn’t try something like this again,” he said as he took his seat.

“I will, you have my word,” Ethan said.

“Good, you may go rest now.” Conrad smiled at him, the first time he had smiled since Ethan’s return. “I hate to see you so worn out. The others have been worried about you, so I suspect you will not be alone for long.”

“Thank you, Father,” Ethan said with his own smile and a nod. He turned and made to leave the room. When he opened the door, however, he paused. He stood there long enough for Conrad to take notice.

“Is something wrong, Ethan?” he asked.

Ethan did not reply right away. After a while he sighed and closed the door.

“Actually, yes, there is,” Ethan said as he walked back to the desk and returned to the spot he had occupied before. “There is something I would like to talk to you about.”

“Oh? Well, I’m listening,” Conrad said as he placed his hands in his lap.

Ethan crossed his arms and looked at a spot on the desk. His foot tapped erratically on the floor, filling the silence with its audible click, click, click. His tongue felt thick, but he had to get this off his chest or else he’s never rest peacefully.

“Father, I would like you to reconsider your ultimatum concerning Nicoli,” he said and chanced a glance at Conrad. The grey eyes were on him and there was no emotion that he could read.

“So, he’s already gotten to you, has he?” Conrad asked after a span of time. “How sad, I thought you really had changed for the better. What happened to the human being just a tool?”

“I lied,” Ethan admitted. “I want to use him to get what I want, yes, but he’s not just a tool and I can’t just let you kill him after all of this is said and done. It’s not fair to him. And what do you mean he’s gotten to me?” he asked.

“Just what it sounds like,” Conrad replied. “Ethan,” he said, the name coming out as a sigh. “I love you, I really do, but you are far too soft. You want everything to be rainbows and kittens when you know it’s not. You’ve seen first hand that it’s not. I only allowed you to bring this human into our fold because I thought you had learned your lesson and wouldn’t get attached. When you get attached you don’t think correctly. You have such a big heart, but you need to learn not to give it out to every living thing you come across.”

“Yes, you’re right,” Ethan said. “Maybe I am too soft, but have you ever thought that you’re just a bit too cold? I love you, too and I know how much you care about me and this family, but when it comes to others you could hardly care if they live or die. You’re a careful person, I understand that, but do you have to be so distrustful and guarded against everything that comes your way? Nicoli isn’t a bad person. He doesn’t deserve to be judged by your preconceived notions or killed after helping us. It’s not right and you know it.”

Conrad was not moved by his words and stared at his fledgling with pity.

“Ethan, we’re vampires. We kill humans all the time. It is in our nature. Killing this one human boy is going to be no different. I’ve seen you kill before without remorse, but when you become close to a human you go soft and it becomes a problem. You need to think of this boy as a tool or else you’re going to start caring about him far too much. I don’t want you falling into that pit trap again.”

“But he’s not a tool,” Ethan insisted. “And you’re wrong, I’ll never care about him like that. He’s like a little puppy. Even some vampire’s would find killing puppies wrong. Look, he’s not even asking for anything in return for helping us. He’s doing it purely because he wants to. Would some untrustworthy human do that?”

“It could be he’s biding his time to try and take the Hearts for himself. I wouldn’t put it past him,” Conrad said simply.

“That’s ridiculous. If that kind of desire was in him I’d know it,” Ethan retorted.

“I don’t care what you think you know about him,” Conrad said, his eyes narrowing. “If you want this boy to help us so bad then he will die by my hand after everything is over. End of discussion.”

“No, it’s not the end of the discussion,” Ethan snapped, his anger rising. “Nicoli is a good kid. He’s not helping us for some ulterior motive. Even Gavin has confirmed that Nicoli isn’t some devious mastermind trying to destroy the family.”

“It has been proven that Gavin can’t see everything in someone,” Conrad said.

“That was different. Nicoli would never know how to deflect Gavin’s gaze. Why are you being so stubborn about this?”

“Because I am your father and I am trying to do what is in your best interest,” Conrad replied. “It all comes back to how you positively melt when you get to know a human too well. He’s dangerous in that respect alone. The second you let your guard down for him you’ll be killed. Do you think I want that? You’re my son, I love you, and I would be devastated if I lost you. That is why I am being stubborn. So, I’ll say it again. Either release the human from this Heart chase and let him go back to his life, or continue to have him help us and, when our goals are met, let him die. It’s that simple.”

“That is not simple, Conrad,” Ethan said. “If you’re really going to force my hand on this then I’ll just take back the book and do the rest myself. I’ve gotten this far, I can find the Heart on my own.”

“That will not be possible,” Conrad said.

“Why not?”

“You have given the book to the clan, so now it is our property. You cannot take it back.”

“What!? You can’t do that!” Ethan yelled.

“Oh, but I can,” Conrad said. He sized Ethan up before speaking again. “Are you really going to defy me for this boy?” he asked.

“It’s not even about Nicoli anymore,” Ethan said. “You’ve always told me to stand up in what I believe in. Fight for what I believe in. I believe it is wrong to take someone into our trust then turn on them once we’re done with them. That’s called betrayal, Conrad, and I won’t betray Nicoli’s trust.”

“Is that how you really feel?”

“It is. The way you’re going about this is wrong. If these are your ideals then I will defy them and reject them with every fiber of my being.”

“You know,” Conrad said slowly. His jaw had tightened and his fingers were tapping against his knee. “You are beginning to sound a lot like a certain someone. Are you going to become a traitor too and join Dimitri’s ranks with him?”

Conrad’s words cut deep and hurt Ethan severely. The hurt soon gave way to liquid rage that filled his body and made him see red.

“How dare you say something like that to me!?!” Ethan screeched and slammed his fists on the desks, causing the wood to crack and splinter. His fangs were bared and fury contorted his face, but a great deal of pain and grief showed in his eyes.

Conrad sighed and looked away, instantly regretting the words he had spoken.

“Forgive me, that was unnecessary,” he said as he silently stood. “My anger made my tongue lash out and I’m sorry to have said something so hurtful to you.” He rounded the desk and went to his fledgling that still had a hand on the desk to lean on, but the other hand was covering his eyes. Conrad touched Ethan’s shoulder and when he was not rejected he slipped his arms around him.

“Forgive me,” Conrad said again when Ethan turned into the embrace and held onto him.

“I do, I forgive you,” Ethan murmured.

They held each other, trying to soother accidental wounds made, until Conrad pulled away slightly.

“Listen to me,” Conrad said, brushing back Ethan’s hair to look into his eyes. “I will give consideration about not killing the boy. I won’t say that I will change my mind, but if you feel this strongly about it I’ll at least think it over.”

“Thank you, Father, that’s all I wanted,” Ethan said with a faint smile.

Conrad nodded and placed a kiss on Ethan’s lips then his forehead.

“Good, now go to bed. You need your rest.”

“Yes, I really, really do.”

The two exchanged good nights and a few more apologetic kisses before Ethan exited the study. When he closed the door he leaned against it and closed his eyes. The day had been too stressful. It had its brief upside with him bedding Nicoli, but his confrontation with Conrad had taken that away from him. It was all just too much to take in one day.

He needed to sleep and when he woke up he would force himself to sleep again. Maybe if he repeated that enough times he would stay asleep and never wake up again. Eternal sleep. Now that did not sound like a half bad idea.

========================================Ch. 33 End