4. KISS OF BLOOD
His gaze fixes on mine, strangely enough, it's not something that causes me fear or even amazement. On the contrary, his gaze possesses a beauty that I didn't expect to find in this sad place.
He is tall and imposing, with a muscular, well-defined body that seems sculpted to perfection. His broad, strong chest stands out, while his long arms and large hands display an almost supernatural strength. Every detail of his appearance blends danger and seduction, creating a fascination that is impossible to ignore.
I realize that my heart, despite its persistent fear, beats irregularly as I contemplate his figure. It's as if I'm trapped in a spell, even in the face of everything I don't understand about this place, about her. The dark beauty of this woman is an enigma that only deepens my unease.
My eyes don't stray from his, not even when I feel the breeze from the closing door pass through the loose waves of hair that cascade down my back. I let out a sigh in an attempt to calm my restless heart, but my eyes flickered for a split second. When I meet his gaze again, he's at my side so quickly that I'm startled into screaming.
"How... how did you get so close to me so quickly?" My hand instinctively goes to my chest, trying to calm the rapid beats the scare induced.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to startle you. Although it seems you've chosen to ignore some of the most important instructions given to you." His voice is husky, and his imposing presence makes him move calmly around me. Every step he takes seems calculated, and his muscular figure only deepens the mystery surrounding this man.
"What would that be? Not looking into your eyes?" I turn my face toward him, now standing beside me, studying my face as if he's scrutinizing every detail.
A subtle smile plays at the corners of his lips, an expression that immediately captures my full attention.
"Exactly that, and you've ignored it quite well." His hand rises toward my hair, pushing aside a small strand from my neck. "I can see your vein pulsing as your heart races. Are you scared?"
"Yes, I'm scared. What about you? What do you want from me?" A shiver runs down my spine as he approaches, my voice sounding flawed, and shaky, showing my fear.
His body comes even closer to mine, causing my breath to hitch as his gentle touch grazes my neck. Is that... his lips? The proximity and uncertainty make the moment electrically charged, and my heart beats uncontrollably.
"Calm down, I only want your blood." His words hang in the air between us, and the tip of his tongue touches my neck, leaving me bewildered and increasingly afraid as I process his words. What does he mean by that? Is the sacrifice giving him my blood?
"I'm here for the sacrifice, and you just want my blood? What kind of lunatic are you?" I back away from him, turning to face him, my eyes conveying a mixture of confusion and fear.
He unbuttons a few buttons of his white satin shirt, the same fabric as the dress I'm wearing. Could this be more than just a coincidence? The connection between us, previously obscure, begins to take a different turn. His gaze roams over my body, leaving me vulnerable, with a strange warmth coursing through my skin, just like in the bathroom.
"I can feel the heat radiating from your body; I can sense the fear you're experiencing." His words are spoken with a husky, deep voice, and his steps are slow in my direction as I move away, my gaze locked on his.
"Just get this over with, perform this sacrifice." My voice comes out desperate because I no longer know what to do to end this anguish and the strange sensation of feeling his touch again. My body collides with a large dark ivory table, and I place my hands on it. I'm getting cornered, with no chance of escaping his proximity.
He slides his tongue slowly over my lips, moistening their contours. His gaze becomes more voracious, moving towards me, and, within seconds, his steps are so fast that his hands are next to mine on the table.
"Do you realize what you've just asked, my dear?" Our faces are mere millimeters apart, and I feel my legs weaken as a strange numbness runs between them.
I tilt my face, getting even closer to his, studying his flawless features. How old could he possibly be to call me "young"?
"Young. Are you anything like a gentleman trapped in the body of a 30-year-old man?" A forced laugh escapes my lips. The question is a subtle challenge, as I try to understand more about this enigmatic man who has the power to intrigue and terrify me at the same time.
"I am 301 years old, young lady," his response echoes in my ears, leaving me stunned. 301 years? Is that even possible? A whirlwind of questions floods my mind as I try to grasp his age.
"What do you mean, 301 years? You must be joking with me." A nervous laugh escapes my lips as his eyes lock onto mine.
"Why would I joke about my age? Do you have anything else to ask, besides that?" His fingers hold my chin, and he examines me so close to my lips that my heart seems to skip a beat. I feel hypnotized by his eyes and his proximity, although fear still lingers.
"I just want you to do what you have to do." My eyes well up with tears, but they don't dissipate; they simply remain trapped, much like my gaze locked onto his honey-colored eyes.
"You know, it's the first time in ages that someone hasn't asked about me, let alone the sacrifice." Their fingers slide over my thighs, gripping them firmly, making me sit down on the table.
"Aren't you interested in knowing?" He traces a slow path around my waist, his fingers tracing every curve until they reach my neck.
My movements become restricted as his fingers move through my hair, making me tilt my neck so that his lips can explore its length.
I swallow my saliva with some difficulty; my body is getting warm as I surrender to the sensation his lips provoke below my abdomen.
"No, I don't want to know why I'm going to die. Let alone know more about you." These empty lies escape my lips along with a restrained moan as I feel him gently sucking my neck.
"Do not lie to me, or it will be worse. Young Lady." My mind seems to snap out of a trance when I hear his threat. Well, since I'm going to die anyway, why do I need to hold back my words?
I open my lips to say what I'm thinking, and this catches his eye, causing him to leave my neck and look at me intently. His eyes seem to have changed color, becoming an intense ruby red, leaving me perplexed as the words leave my lips.
"Are you a vampire? And why do you want to sacrifice me so badly?" Before answering my questions, his hands firmly grip my waist, laying me on the table. His body is quickly on top of mine, without putting the weight of his muscles on me.
"Yes... There are many ways to sacrifice yourself. All you have to do is say yes."
Sliding his fingers over my thigh, he lowers the dress to my waist. My heart races with anticipation, and fear gives way to desire, a new desire, just when I'm about to die.
"Look closely into my eyes; it may be the last time you see them, young lady." He looks at me differently, and I can discern the tone of his eyes even more, changing from ruby to blood red. My hands instinctively touch his sculpted chest, trying to push him away, but this effort is in vain. He doesn't move a muscle at my touch.
"Say... say yes." His thumb grips my chin, making me look at his lips and then meet his eyes again. At this point, my lips only utter what he so desperately wants to hear. His touch leaves me so vulnerable.
"Yes," I breathe, and a wicked smile spreads across his lips. One of his fingers still holds my chin as our lips collide in devastating desire. He reaches for my tongue, making the kiss more intense. My nails dig into his chest, causing him to let out a moan between our kisses. He sucks my lip and bites it hard.
I feel the burning of the bite, a pleasurable pain mixing with our lips. I can taste my blood as the kiss takes an unknown turn. Heat rises in my legs, reaching my core, and sending shivers throughout my body. I close my eyes and surrender to the ecstasy of his kiss.