Part 25 (1/2)
Chapter 42.
Marie's red-stained tongue licked the surface of his p.e.n.i.s in slow, long movements.
”Seems I may have a problem, Wil.”
”What is it?” He sighed, delighting in the pleasure she gave him.
”One of my clients has died. And... my name has somehow been mentioned in connection with him. Very embarra.s.sing, as you can imagine. I try very hard to be circ.u.mspect about my business, not only for my client's sake, but also my own. This has forced me to think about going back to Paris sooner than I had expected.”
”You're going to leave me.”
”No. However, we will have to travel separately, since I'll need you to look after an important... piece of luggage.” Marie had found that the most comfortable way for her to travel was in her coffin.
”I can't leave my father.”
”Your father has already left you, Wil. He's not coming back. Matter of fact, it's probably better that he not return to us. I mean, given the condition of his brain, he will never be able to function as he once did.”
”I can't leave him.”
Marie noticed the change in the timbre of his voice. He wanted to pull back from the pa.s.sion in order to find his own integrity. Swiftly she took him fully into her mouth. She took his groan as an indication that she had overcome his moment of guilt.
”Before I leave,” she hesitated, licking the tip of his c.o.c.k. ”I have someone special that I want to see stopped.”
”Stopped? We're not talking murder, are we?”
”Oh fi, he's already dead.”
”Are you stopping the burial or cremation?”
”Cremation. I like that. Burial would be useless in his case, but a nice bonfire would work very well.”
”I must admit I'm not following you.”
”I want you to destroy a coffin, preferably with a body inside it.”
”Me? Why me?”
”How unladylike it would be for me to do it. Besides, my granddaughter would never forgive me. I want to be able to look Liliana in the eyes and seem shocked when she tells me.”
”Will she be returning to Paris also?”
Marie flicked the switch she held across his p.e.n.i.s.
”My granddaughter's not for you. Actually she's dating some math whiz quite happily.” She gazed up into Wil's face. His dark eyes had lost the glisten of sensuality. His face paled from the volume of blood she had syphoned off. ”One would think I don't make you happy.”
”You remind me of the life I can't escape.”
”We're put here for pleasure, Wil. Not to wallow in guilt. There should be no such thing as guilt. We do what is best for ourselves.”
”A man who takes a life should not feel guilt?”
”No, Wil.” She stretched her body across his, fingering the ropes that bound him to the bed. ”Death can be a treasure or a waste, depending on one's ability to control the grim reaper's sleep.”
”You mean if I were to kill you--”
Marie laughed. ”You couldn't. I'm long past the fear of death. Only my body can be destroyed. My soul is now bound to the earth.”
”You mean you're not going to heaven? That's a surprise.” He smirked.
”I gave up heaven for pleasure.”
”You mean all those saints I learned about in Sunday school missed out big.”
She shrugged her naked shoulders. ”Everyone has their own idea of pleasure. Mine is to exist forever.”
Blood had crusted on his neck. She would have to be careful not to take too much. She needed to make him drink her own blemished blood. He would make a very masculine, sensual vampire once he recognized the strength she could give him.
”Mine is to make up for all those years I ignored my father.”
”Your father is beyond any pleasure. He needs to pa.s.s on and return to dust.”
”You want him dead?”
”I want you. That is all I can think about.”
”And what about me and my happiness?”
”I will make you more than happy. I will share a secret power that I have.”
”Is this going to be in a potion made up of mashed frog legs, bats wings, and whatever other witchy brew you can come up with?”
Marie bit down hard on her wrist. Blood bubbled to the surface. She squeezed the break in her flesh to allow the blood to flow freely.
”s.h.i.+t! What the h.e.l.l are you doing?”
”Share my brew now.” She brought her wrist up to his lips and he turned his head.
”Only a fool would turn from my gift.”
”Hey, I let you nuzzle up and suck some of my blood, but I've never had the desire to lap up anyone else's.”
”Never?” She pursed her lips. ”Never in a fit of pa.s.sion have you drawn your tongue across a wound you have inflicted? Never in a blur of desire have you bitten down to taste the metallic juice of a lover? Never have you lapped at the remnants of a woman's b.l.o.o.d.y life-giving tissue?” She stared at his profile, seeing the turmoil twitch his flesh while he remained silent. ”You have. Sometimes we can't control the sweetest temptations.” Slowly she moved her wrist around to his lips. He did not turn away this time, but he did not suck on her flesh. Instead he allowed the blood to flow across his full lips, rivulets moistening the parchness of his flesh.