He pulled away. Lips drenched scarlet with my blood. His tongue peeped out in the corner before moving to flick over his lush lips taking away all traces of his having just fed off me.

"You look pale. I have taken too much," he said casually before laying down back beside me. Once again I found my lips reluctantly plastered to an open wound on his chest. His grip on my head unrelenting. I took the merest amounts before licking over the slit wanting it to close up faster. Not that I was remotely able to facilitate that. I didn't want to feed but my suspicion ran that he took great enjoyment of me feeding off him and I could not deprive him of his enjoyment of me. However that enjoyment came about.

I lay my head on his chest once more replaying our kiss. It had been beyond my expectations. A kiss of unimaginable pleasure. I took joyous relish from the recollection. Replaying every brush of his lips, every swipe of his tongue against mine.

"I have a meeting to attend tonight. I want you with me," he said abruptly destroying my lusty fantasy in which Lucian and I had been playing at greater things then mere exchange of kisses. I flushed red and muttered a curt," Sure."

"Do you need to shop? Make an appointment at Masie's. I want you looking your best," he said playing with my hair. I shrugged. What did it matter what the food looked like?

"You need to eat. Do you want to order in or eat out?" He asked next as if he would be taking me out for a meal. I shrugged indifferently again. I didn't have much appetite for food despite having not eaten for as long as I could remember. My appetites now were purely carnal but I doubt I would get more action from Lucian then the kiss he had already bestowed. So I didn't hold my breath in anticipation. Instead I rolled off the bed and onto my feet.

I wavered for a bit before finding my balance. It was more than my recovery or our blood exchange that rendered me off balance. It was merely what happened when ones world was rocked off its axis and the sun that one had been cautiously tip toeing around now stood glaring steadily straight into ones face.

It was naturally overbright and bound to knock one of ones balance.

"I'll go find Nedd to drive me into town, " I mumbled out before walking gingerly out the door that had somehow gotten unlocked towards my own room. I showered and changed into casual jeans and t before ambling out of the house in search of Nedd.

I found him waiting for me on the doorstep engine running and ready to drive me to wherever I pleased. But today was a day for unhealthy indulgence. So I decided to imbibe in chocolate thickshake and burger at McDonald's of all places. It has been too long since I last walked into one and the sense of excitement for some god awful burgers spun out of bound. I imbibed with relish. Munching on fries, nuggets and slurping my shake like I've never eaten before.

But it was over all too soon. I looked up to find Nedd's eyes fixated in me. His grin wide and unrestrained.

"You're still here," I said surprised. I thought he would merely drop me off then roll away to wherever Lucian needed him next.

"Lucian wanted me with you. I am to drive you to Masie's next," he said without preamble.

I merely nodded my head meekly knowing there was no point in arguing otherwise. Nedd would do as his master dictates. I had no say in the matter. I never had.

Masie's was packed but arrangements were made to make allowances for me. Lucian had clout and not to mention muscles that no one would knowingly provoke. One such muscles stood right beside me amiable in his discourse with the proprietor of the place. I let Nedd work his magic then followed the attendent who emerged to usher me in.

I had been here before so I was well aware of the routine that would follow. The unmeasurable primping and prodding. But it took a lot to make me beautiful and I was not about to stand in the way of their efforts. As far as I was concerned they could wax on, wax off and wax away to their hearts delight and they wouldn't get even a squeak out of me.

We started off strangely with my hair. I looked in askance at the attendent before me but she only shrugged her shoulders.

" I am only following orders," she said simply.

You, me and the rest of us. Only whose orders was it.

" I was told to curl it. Freddy will apply the rollers first and then we can get started with the facial and your manicure at the same time. Then we'll do your waxing and by then the rollers will be ready to be removed. We'll do your hair and makeup then finish off with a pedicure.

"Ok," I muttered agreeably. It like everything else was all planned for me. I needed only to go through the motions. This I did without much thought. My thoughts were preoccupied by a whole lot more. Heated stuff all involving one too hot to handle Lucian. I spent a good part of the time drooling and longing for him but I did spare some thoughts to my actions ahead. I decided it was unduly time I set aside my unhealthy obsession over him and pounce on some other poor unsuspecting dude. I would get married and have kids. Lucian would be relegated to my secret pleasure and I would remain his food source.

I thought it over hard. It was not an impossible idea. With the right man I could well make it work. In fact tonight was the ideal time to scout around for a suitable candidate. Everyone at the party tonight will know of the existence of vampires. It was that sort of party. That would be half the battle met and fought. The remainder should be much easier. I mean I have put up with surly Lucian for most of my life. Anyone else would only be an improvement. The rest is just sex. I didn't have to love the guy. Who did now days? Most people married simply because they had to usually to have a kid. And that is what I would do too.

I planned it out thoroughly in my head snd decided to say nothing of it to Lucian. He really didn't need to know of my plans. Despite all evidence to the contrary, Lucian didn't own me.

" There, all done," said the attendent beaming at the final product that was me.

I spared a cursory glance at the mirror and offered the a thank you for her efforts. I didn't look anything other than what I was only cleaner and better arranged. A gown and shoes were brought out of nowhere. My guess was that Nedd had dashed back for it. It was a gown I had worn before. Deep blue velvet. Form hugging and off shoulders. It sat well on my frame. The shoes were of marching velvet. My hair unbound and in curls was swept to oneside over my shoulders leaving the backless dress strapped together sparsely by a single velvet ribbon that supported my entire bodice riskily exposed.

Turning sidewsays to glance at my back, I winced at the fragility of that string.

But it was time to leave and I did so without fuss. I followed Nedd out to the limo parked on tbe curb and knew thst Lucian sat within.

I joined him in the dark confines of his car saying nothing. He said nothing too. Silence was not unusual between us and despite all that had happened it didn't feel forced or uncomfortable.

We arrived at the hotel a short while later. The party was to be held in the ballroom. It was a prestigious five star hotel. So the bash was no doubt costing someone a pint of money.

I walked in on Lucian's arms and the ooh and aahs of onlookers didn't fail to catch my ear. It was at occasions such as this that Lucian made his conquests. Gathered his next groupies of Blondie and Redbeans.

After a meet and greet of the hostesses and the key players of socialites present, Lucian and I parted to mingle.

At least one of us did. He mingled while I did what I did best.

"Gaydar alert!" I murmured in a sotto voice to the bevy of beauties shamelessly oogling my Lucian.

"You mean he's gay?" The blond bombshell looked devastated.

"It figures. A face and form like that could only be gay," said Brunette looking dissapointed but unsurprised.

I turned away to hide the glint of amusement in my eyes and caught Lucian's stare. He frowned at me from afar. He'd heard my embroidering over his sexual inclinations.

I tore my gaze away and excused myself from the group around me. I headed over to the waiter totting the champagne flutes. I took a flute and was sipping on it by the time Lucian caught up to me.

"Kindly refrain yourself from slandering my masculinity. I think we both know well enough that I am not gay."

"Its not slander. Its merely a different sexual inclinations. There is nothing wrong in your being gay," I said amiably.

" Nothing wrong, " he agreed. " Only I am not."