Eight

THE HOUSE WAS DEAD QUIET as Gia walked barefoot down the stairs, to the first level of Layton’s home. Feelings of hurt swamped her from the way he treated her earlier and she couldn’t seem to let it go. Vampires were crass creatures who took what they wanted without apology and he took so much from her. She was ignorant to think what they shared was special. It wasn’t. It was just another fuck for him—a way to get his jollies for the time being. If she was smart, she would walk out the front door and never look back. Too bad she was a glutton for punishment. That’s why she moved from room to room in his home, being nosy. The square footage of the house was bare except for furniture. There was nothing personal sitting around—no photographs, trinkets or décor that signified it was his. It didn’t surprise Gia though. Layton was an angry vamp with a soul blacker than the deepest recesses of space. Each time she crossed the threshold of a new room, she tried to find the beauty of it but it was no use, the entire thing was nothing more than a glorified funeral parlor. Just as she stepped into the foyer, her stomach growled, echoing in the empty space. What were the chances Layton would have human food in the house? Shaking her head Gia headed for the kitchen. When she stepped into the large room, she spotted the fridge and walked to it. Grabbing the handle, she gave a yank and pulled the door open, only to reveal containers of blood. “Great,” she shut the door. Exhaustion climbed up her body, the lack of sleep throwing her into a funk. The clock on the microwave read it was almost five a.m. and the sun would be up soon. With a deep breath, Gia decided it was best she go home and grab a few hours of sleep before her shift at the hotel later that morning. She walked through the house, up the stairs, and to the bedroom. Slipping her flip flops on, she glanced around for her shirt. When she found it, she held it up and rolled her eyes, “That was one of my favorites,” she complained while looking at the ripped garment. Wadding it up she held it in her hand and left the room. She remembered seeing a laundry hamper in the bathroom and hoped it would hold one of Layton’s shirts for her to wear home. She didn’t mind if the shirt was soiled or not, she couldn’t hop in a taxi while only wearing her bra and a pair of shorts. Gia flipped on the light in the bathroom and spotted the hamper. On the top of the clothing in the plastic bin was a black t-shirt. She reached for it and held it up. Wrinkles aside, it would have to do so she pulled it over her head. Her eyes fluttered shut as Layton’s scent enveloped her. It was as if he were standing there with his arms wrapped around her, keeping her from harm. She knew it was only a fantasy though. Layton would never be the vampire who would display heroics. He would forever be the villain.

***

“Mr. Allen, I’ll send housekeeping up to take care of the issue,” Gia said in a polite tone.

 “How was your night?” Yvonne asked.

“Fine.” Gia didn’t want to get into the details of what had happened between her and Layton. There were still some that thought it was wrong to even converse with a vamp. She wasn’t sure what her co-worker’s stance on the subject was, so Gia would tread with care until she could feel it out.

“You look tired. Did you not sleep well?”

“I was awake, thinking about Zach.” She lied.

“Any news on that front?” Yvonne slammed her hand down on the stapler with a loud bang.

“Not yet. He’ll turn up,” Gia wasn’t sure if she said that for Yvonne’s benefit or her own. She had to believe Zach was okay.

“I’m sure he will,” Yvonne patted Gia’s shoulder to comfort her.

 Gia smiled then looked at the clock on her computer monitor. “I’m going to take my break.” She logged into the system and clocked out on her electronic time sheet. Fifteen minutes wasn’t much time but Gia’s routine for her short breaks was always the same. She would take the short walk to the indoor river and watch couples take romantic gondola rides. It was such a bright spot in her day that once she did it, it became routine. As she walked toward the river entrance, Gia smiled. Couples were already lining up to board the long boats, all of them either holding hands or embracing each other. The dream of having something like that one day washed over her, causing so many emotions to take root in her soul. Just as she sat down at one of the cafe tables at the edge of the river, her cell phone vibrated. Taking it from her purse, she peered down at the screen, then swiped her finger over it to answer.

“Hello?”

“Hey Gia, there’s a guest in room 1965 that has some issues. He will only speak to you,” Yvonne said.

“Okay, I’ll call up there.”

 “No, he wants you to come to the room.”

“Okay. Can you clock me back in? I’ll head up there now and see what’s up,” Gia sighed.

 “Will do.”

Shaking her head, Gia began the walk to the elevators. When she arrived at the gold doors, she pressed the button and waited for the lift to arrive. It was past eight in the evening so the majority of the hotel guests were out exploring what The Strip offered, or they were in the casino. This was the time of day she loved working. With the sparse amount of people, Gia could relax. When the doors opened, she boarded the elevator and jammed her finger on the button for the 19th floor. It wasn’t long before the doors were opening once more, delivering her to her destination. As she walked down the hallway, she came to the door of suite 1965. After knocking a few times, she waited. When the door swung open, Gia stepped back.

“Please, come in,” Layton stood there wearing only a pair of faded jeans.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I wanted to speak with you.”

 “Have you ever heard of a phone?”

He stepped to the side and motioned her into the room. “I would rather have this conversation inside the room.”

 Gia rolled her eyes and brushed past him. “I can’t stay here long, I have to work.” She crossed her arms over her chest. When the door shut with an audible bang, Gia startled. She whipped her head around to see Layton leaning against the wall. “What do you want?”

“Must I want something?” he moved closer.

“You’re a vampire, your kind always wants something. So, what is it? Want me to lie down and spread my legs for you again?”

“Is that what you want to do?” he asked.

 “It doesn’t matter what I want, now does it?”

“Everything about you matters.”

“Fuck you, Layton. You can’t treat me like you did last night and expect me to be happy about it.”

 “I’m not a human, Gia. If you expect for me to act like one, you’re the one wrong here.” He stood just a few inches from her, his fingers reaching out to smooth down her cheek. “I will try to be considerate of your feelings from now on.”

 “Thank you,” she whispered.

Layton stepped away. “I was able to get information about your brother’s visit to my club,” he took a seat in a nearby chair.

“And?” “I have spoken with Craven Russo. Zach was looking for information on who murdered your mother,” he lifted a tumbler to his lips, the dark blood staining the sides of the glass.

“My mom wasn’t murdered. She died of heart failure,” Gia protested.

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Layton stood from his seat, grabbing a file nearby. “Here,” he handed it to Gia. Narrowing her eyes, she took the folder and flipped it open.

 As she scanned the contents, her blood ran cold. “This can’t be true.”

 “It is true.”

“Why would my dad keep something like this from Zach and me?” she took a seat on the edge of the bed.

 “My only guess is that he thought it would protect you and your brother.”

 “Murders happen every day, I don’t see how it would have changed anything.” Gia shut the folder and tossed it to the side.

“Perhaps it was the manner in which she was killed,” Layton mentioned.

“It doesn’t matter. None of this has to do with finding Zach.” Even though her inquisitive nature was screaming for her to investigate the death of her mother further, Gia couldn’t go down that road. She’d grieved the loss of her mom for so many years and she didn’t want to dredge up new feelings. “I have to get back to work,” she walked to the door. 

“Stay,” Layton’s hand reached above her, holding the door shut.

 “Why?” she turned as his tall body loomed over her.

 “Because no matter how hard I try, I cannot seem to rid my mind of you.”

 “That’s not good enough.”

 “I’m sorry for the way I acted last night. I never intended to make you feel like less of a person with my actions. Truth be told, I had never been with a human in an intimate capacity since I was turned.”

 “Really?”

 “Yes. I have separated myself from mortals from day one. But I’m drawn to you, Gia.”

“I don’t want to need you so bad. I hate I feel like I do.”

“All you have to do is tell me what you need and I will give it to you. You are mine, Miss Pendleton. That means I will do whatever it takes to make sure you are taken care of.” He placed his icy hands on her face.

“Kiss me,” she breathed.

Layton stepped back shaking his head. “That, I cannot do.”

 “That makes little sense. You said—.”

“I’m not fearful of much but if I taste you, I won’t be able to stop myself.”

 “You’re not allowed to bite me,” she reminded him.

He nodded. “True.”

“I don’t see what the problem is.” She shrugged. Layton only stood there, staring at her like he was hanging onto his control by a hair. Gia couldn’t explain why she needed him so bad but she didn’t care to know. The memory of the night before was seared into her brain and soon, her body came alive, needing to feel him once more. Pushing past him, she walked to the bed and unbuttoned her top. With a languid pace, she undressed and stood there while waiting for him to say something. “I need to feel you again,” her eyes connected with his. Gia could see the arousal spark in his eyes, his body tensing up as if it were expecting his next move. If it was only possible to connect with him on a physical level, she would have to make due.

***

Layton’s body shook as he stood back, taking in Gia’s naked form. He had intended nothing beyond giving her information when she came to his suite, but now she was there, he wanted to possess her once more. Sex was a way to pass the time for him, but with Gia, it was much more. Her warm body comforted him in his world of chaos. She made him feel somewhat human when he was with her.

“I’m feeling self-conscious,” she fidgeted.

“You shouldn’t feel like that. You are a work of art,” he moved closer, extending his hand to run across her gorgeous breasts. “Every fucking part of you should be captured in a sculpture.” Her nipples hardened at his touch. He grabbed her by the waist and lifted her to the bed. When her head rested on a pillow, he sat on his knees between her legs. When her thighs fell open, the sweet scent of her assaulted him.

“If you won’t taste my lips, at least taste me here,” she said while reaching for his hand. She then placed it on the outside of her sex. “Please?” she implored. The sweet smell was doing him in already and he hadn’t even put his mouth on her. Sliding down on the bed, he laid on his bare stomach and placed his hands on her inner thighs, pushing them further apart. Her warmth seeped from her core, inviting him forward to sample her flavor. As he closed his eyes, Layton’s tongue darted out, taking his first taste of her. He groaned with pleasure when her flavor burst on his tongue, causing his cock to harden in an instant.

When he lifted his head, he said, “You taste divine.”

 “Your mouth feels amazing,” her spine arched and her fingers dove into his shaggy hair. “More.” He wouldn’t make her suffer in her arousal so he leaned down once more, running his tongue deeper between her slit. His reward was a pulse of her flesh and her nails digging into his scalp. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to come.” Layton grinned as his tongue flicked over her clit, the nub hardening with each lash he inflicted. The urge to feel her moment of bliss blanketed him. As badly as he wanted to bury himself inside her, he knew that would not happen. He had to treat her with respect and adoration like she deserved. There was no way he would fuck her and send her on her way again. Since the night he was turned, Layton could taste nothing but the metallic flavor of blood. With his mouth on Gia, a new flavor emerged on his tongue. If he wasn't entranced in her presence before then, he knew beyond a doubt that he would be. Watching her slow ascent to an invisible peak was like watching a rose spread its petals and morph into a full-fledged bloom. It was a miraculous sight that had him reining himself in. With her fingers gripping his hair, Layton absorbed every sensation like it would be the last time he would feel them.

“I’m so close,” Gia squirmed around, trying to break free of the hold he had on her. There wasn’t a chance in hell he would let her leave the room without giving him everything. She was his and with that meant he knew what she needed. The rigid form of her body led him to believe she was getting ready to give him what he wanted. The foreign feeling of anticipation crept over him, readying Layton for her release. There had been little to look forward to during his time on the earth until that moment. When she dug her fingernails into his scalp deeper and bit down on her bottom lip, Layton watched her like he was seeing art create itself. No words passed her lips as she rode her climax. Beauty was subjective but he would wager that Gia in the throes of ecstasy would impress even the most discriminating voyeur.

“Oh my God,” she tossed an arm over her face. “I shouldn’t be doing this.” Layton lifted from his position and moved to her side.

 “And why shouldn’t you be doing this?” he reached for her arm and pulled it away from her eyes.

“Because I know sooner or later, you will destroy me.” He couldn’t argue with that logic, but in his mind, she would be the one to destroy him. The insane part about the thought was, he wanted her to.