The night outside the boutique was bustling with activities, as the soft breeze whispered through the trees.
The shopping district was now in full bloom, as vampires moved along the busy streets. They were creatures of the night, of course it makes sense while this street has just come to life now, unlike when they first arrived at the boutique. The streets were illuminated by soft, golden street lights that cast long shadows on the cobblestone paths.
Lucian strode confidently beside Seraphine as they left Madam Bee's boutique, the clicking of her heels against the pavement as she struggled to walk with them, creating a steady rhythm that seemed to sync with the pulsing in his veins.
They finally got into the car while the chauffeur carried all they've bought and put it in the truck of the car, before getting into the driver's seat and then they drove off.
Sitting so close to her once again, Lucian took another look at her, she wore the last gown she had tried on, a velvet black dress with a deep slit that revealed the length of one of her thighs. The fabric clung to her in all the right places, highlighting her curves and emphasizing the generous neckline that displayed her cleavage. Lucian had insisted she keep it on, claiming it was too perfect not to be worn. But in reality, the truth was that he simply couldn't bear the thought of her changing out of it. The sight of her in the dress stirred up something within him, something possessive.
He hadn't planned on this. His usual calm, controlled demeanor slowly slipped through his fingers with each moment he spent looking at her. She had a way of getting under his skin, waking desires he had long thought buried under centuries of self-discipline.
He was a vampire lord, powerful, disciplined, and always in control. Yet, here he was, eyes fixed on a mere human, his pet, and struggling to keep his composure.
Seraphine's wide grin as she turned to look at him only made things worse. That smile, bright and full of unspoken gratitude, was enough to make his chest tighten.
"Thank you" she said, her voice soft and genuine, as she grinned even wider, pulling his heart strings.
Lucian's gaze followed the curve of her lips, and suddenly, his resolve shattered. The distance between them closed in an instant, until she had her back by the car door. His face inches from hers, the air thick with tension.
Her breath caught, and he could hear her heartbeat quicken, pounding like a drum in his ears. The intoxicating scent of her blood, warm and inviting, made it even harder to resist. He reached out, almost instinctively, his hand finding her cheek, his fingers grazing her skin like silk. She didn't pull away. If anything, her body seemed to respond, her cheeks flushing under his touch, her lips parting slightly as though inviting him closer.
He leaned in, even more until their faces were mere centimeters apart. He could feel her breath on his skin, hear the rapid rise and fall of her chest as she struggled to process what was happening.
He paused, just for a moment, giving her the chance to stop him, to pull away if she wanted. But she didn't. Her wide eyes, filled with uncertainty and something else, maybe desire. And in that moment, Lucian's restraint snapped.
His lips claimed hers. He kissed her slowly at first, waiting for her response, but when her lips began to move against his, uncertain yet eager, he deepened the kiss, allowing the heat between them to build. His hand moved to the back of her neck, pulling her closer as the intensity of their kiss grew. Seraphine's fingers found their way into his hair, tangling in the dark strands as she melted into his embrace.
Lucian couldn't get enough of her, her scent, the taste of her lips, the way her body pressed against his. He wanted more.
Needed more.
His tongue traced the seam of her lips, and when she parted them, he wasted no time, exploring the warmth of her mouth with a hunger that he hadn't realized he possessed. Her soft moan vibrated against him, and it only spurred him on, his body shifting closer to hers, closing any remaining space between them.
The kiss was electric, their mouths moving in sync as though they had been doing this for centuries. Lucian felt the warmth of her skin beneath his cold hands, the rapid beat of her heart under his fingertips, and it sent a thrill down his spine. But it wasn't enough. His desire was insatiable, driven by a need that went beyond simple attraction. It was more possessive, he needed to own her, all to himself, so no one would dare to ever touch her.
When he finally broke away from her lips, it was only to trail soft kisses down the curve of her jaw and along the column of her neck.
He could feel her pulse racing beneath her skin, the rhythm of her heartbeat like a siren's call to the vampire within him. His kisses slowed as he reached the delicate curve of her throat, his tongue tracing a path that made her shiver.
Her fingers tightened in his hair, and he could feel the tension in her body as she arched toward him, wordlessly encouraging his advance.
Lucian's fangs ached with the need to sink into her flesh, to taste her blood, to claim her in the most intimate way possible. His breath came out in ragged gasps as he nibbled along the edge of her neck, savoring the sound of her soft, breathless moans.
Finally, he reached the spot that called to him the loudest, just above her collarbone, where her pulse beat strong and steady. He paused for a moment, his mouth hovering above her delicate skin. Seraphine's breathing hitched, her body going stiff as though she knew what was coming, but there was no fear in her eyes, only curiosity and perhaps trust? Lucian thought to himself.
That realization shook him, but not enough to stop what was about to happen. Lucian lowered his head, his lips brushing against her skin one last time before his fangs descended. The sharp, sudden pain made Seraphine gasp, but the shock quickly gave way to something else.
Pleasure
It came surging through her, overwhelming any sense of discomfort, and a soft moan escaped her lips as Lucian drank from her.
Her blood was intoxicating, rich and sweet, unlike anything he had ever tasted before. It flooded his senses, igniting every nerve in his body with a hunger so strong that it was impossible to ignore. He drank deeply, his fangs sinking further into her neck, his hands gripping her waist to keep her steady.
Every drop of her blood that touched his tongue only increased the fire burning within him, and for a moment, Lucian lost himself completely.
But as much as he wanted to keep going, he knew he couldn't.
Seraphine's body trembled under his hold, and though her moans spoke of pleasure, Lucian could sense the exhaustion creeping in. If he took too much, she would pass out, or worse. And while he wanted to possess her, to mark her as his, he wouldn't risk harming her again. Not like last time.
With great reluctance, he pulled his fangs from her neck, the wound closing almost immediately as he licked the last remnants of her blood from his lips. Seraphine's breathing was labored, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to regain her composure. Her eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused for a moment before it settled on him, and what he saw there made something inside him tighten with satisfaction.
Desire.
Pure, unfiltered desire.
Lucian's eyes drifted to the small mark on her neck, the evidence of his bite still visible. His chest swelled with pride and satisfaction as he looked at it. She was his now.
Marked.
Claimed.
Seraphine's fingers reached up to touch the spot where he had bitten her, her eyes wide with wonder.
"What... What did you do to me?"
Her voice was breathless, her cheeks flushed, and though she should have been angry or scared, there was only curiosity in her tone.
Lucian smirked, his gaze locking with hers.
"I marked you, Seraphine. You belong to me now."
Her breath caught, and for a brief moment, uncertainty flickered across her features.
But it was quickly replaced by something else-something that mirrored the possessiveness he felt. There was no running away from this now. They were both caught in the web of desire, and neither of them was strong enough to break free.
Not anymore.