Never Take What Isn't Offered

If it weren’t for necessities, my life would be something totally different. If it were up to me, I’d leave this place in my rear view and disappear in the mountains somewhere, live off what nature provided. But, I couldn’t do that. I had a little sister I had to watch out for. Sure, my mahmen didn’t allow me anywhere near her, and she had also tainted my little sister’s vision of me… No matter. Marianna was my sister and I would never abandon her the way my mahmen had abandoned me. I would be here for her until the bitter end… and that meant making enough money to live in Caldwell, New York.

Yes, I made a good wage with my welding job, but we lived so close to New York City that every cost of living was inflated tenfold. So, I had found a new, second job at a nightclub downtown.

As I stepped through the doors of the club, I internally cringed. This type of place was not my scene. Sure, I enjoyed a night out with the guys, but this place was different. This place was filled with people that bought other people. Humans and vampires alike spent time in this club, not that the humans were aware of who they shared their air with. It didn’t matter, anyway. They all came here for their own reasons, sex, drugs, or blood, aside from that, they didn’t care what else went on in the place, as long as they got their fix.

Me, I offered up my veins, to anyone willing to pay the price. I couldn’t even imagine what my sire would think of me if he knew how I made my extra money. But, it paid better than any other second job I had found, so far, and right now I needed that cash.

I had only been here a few months, but I had already built up a small group of regulars. As I looked over the list of appointments for the evening, I recognized one that had been becoming more and more frequent. Her name was Desiree. She wasn’t from old money, like the Glymera had been, she was of new money. From what I heard, she inherited it from her mate after he had passed unexpectedly. His family had been killed in the raids years ago, so there was no one else for the money to go to, but her. Apparently, she spent it vigorously.

The office was overcrowded tonight, so I noted all my appointments and got the hell out. For some reason, Thursdays were a busy night. Almost busier than Saturdays. I guess a lot of the clientele here spent the weekend evenings with their significant others.

The night went by pretty fast. I guess being busy was a good thing. Desiree was my final appointment. She had actually paid for the last two appointments. This was fairly common for her, as she tended to take her time feeding. It was fine by me. She tipped double, so…

Routine was, you took in one appointment, then had fifteen minutes to wash up before the next. Each appointment was a half an hour and you were only allowed to take five in one night (twice a week, every other week). I’ll say one thing about the owners, they had it down to a science how often a vampire could allow someone else to feed from them and not kill themselves in the process.

I barely had time to finish washing up, when Desiree came barreling in the door. She wasn’t supposed to just waltz in and she knew it, but she wasn’t one to play by the rules, either. I just shook my head and reached my hand out. “Good evening, doll.” As I led her over to the chaise and sat her down, I started up some random chitchat. The room I used was one of the few that had a chaise instead of a bed. I preferred to offer my wrist as opposed to my neck, and I didn’t give any happy endings, unlike a lot of the rest.

Desiree ran her fingers down my arm, landing at my wrist, as her eyes drifted up to mine. “You know, you are the only one I’ve ever settled for a wrist from.”

Nodding my head slightly, in a show of reverence to the female, I replied, “Well then, I am honored.”

Pausing for a moment, she seemed to be taking me in, trying to decide just what to make of me. I had seen her a total of eight times now, and I had always been polite and a total gentleman. I tried to tell myself that some of these people actually just needed someone to feed from, due to their circumstances, despite much confirmation of the contrary. Most of the people that came to this place just wanted to get their rocks off. Then again, the higher end places may have different clientele, but they all still went for the same reasons.

Her next comment jarred me from my thoughts, “Why do you always pick this room?”

“To keep the expectations to a minimum.” The words were out before I realized I had said them. Shit! I was supposed to appear always available. It was one of the rules of the club. Think fast, think fast! Lowering my voice, as if anyone else could hear, “I’ve only been with one female in my life, and let’s just say that I’m not one to take something like that lightly. Don’t tell the boss.” I fake plead. “He would have my head if he knew I told anyone that.”

She listened, wide-eyed, nodding her head, drinking in every word. “Oh, don’t worry. I won’t tell a soul.”

Somehow, I doubted that little promise to be true, but I had to let that go. “So… “ I nodded expectantly toward my wrist. “Are you ready for your feeding?”

“Now, now, Ry. You know better than to rush me.” She flashed a playful smile.

Ry. I hated that nickname, but I offered a smile in return and nodded. “I’m sorry, Desiree. What would you like to talk about tonight?”

Resting her hand on the chaise and running it in circles on the fabric, she responded, “Tell me more about your female.” She once more raised her gaze to mine. “What was so special about her?”

I took a deep breath. I was getting a little impatient with this whole song and dance, tonight. Something in my gut felt twisted. So, I shook my head. “I’m sorry, Desiree. She is something that is private to me. I shouldn’t have mentioned her.”

For a second, I thought I saw a flash of anger wash over her features. But, it was so fast, I wasn’t sure. “Okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.” She lifted my wrist to her lips and ran her tongue lightly along my vein. “You know, you have the most delicious blood of any of the males I’ve ever tasted.”

“Thank you, Desiree.” I think…

Flashing me a seductive smile, she slowly sank her teeth into my wrist. As soon as the blood hit her tongue, she closed her eyes and began to milk my vein for everything it was worth.

Dropping my head, I began to think of anything else. It began with the plans I had to go out of town this weekend. My friend that had gotten me the welding job lived up at the lake and he was going to take me out fishing. I couldn’t wait to get out there, on the boat, in the middle of the water, with just my thoughts. It was going to be so nice.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my thigh, swiftly moving toward my crotch. Without thinking, I reached down and grabbed it, and at the same time, stood up and stepped back. “I think we’re just about done here, Desiree.”

She stepped back into me and placed her hand on my wrist. “But, my second appointment time hasn’t even started.”

My lip twitched up in the slightest of snarls as she touched me again. “Even so. I think you’ve had plenty for the evening.”

Her hand swung so fast, I didn’t have time to react, until it was actually grasping my junk.

This time I really snarled. “Let. Go.” I had grabbed a hold of her wrist so tight, I was probably bruising it, but she had clamped on and wouldn’t let go.

She stepped one foot closer, “But, you haven’t given me what I really want, yet.”

As much as it hurt to do, I ripped her hand away and twisted up behind her, “You couldn’t pay me enough.”

With my other hand, I unlocked the door and threw her out. Picking up the phone in the room, I called up front. “Desiree is going to be headed up there. She’ll probably be a little pissed off. She attempted to take what wasn’t offered. I showed her that in no certain terms was she going to get it. Can you make sure she doesn’t reschedule with me again?”

“Understood.” Was the only response I got. Hopefully, I wouldn’t get fired over this, but fuck if I was going to let any female take what I didn’t offer.