The Hunter's Prey (2 page)

I burned to follow Cordelia over the precipice of delight. But Don Rafael had his legs firmly between mine and held my hands tightly, withholding any chance of completion from me. I was forced to sit there and study Cordelia’s sated sleep. I cursed and fought him but his strength was too great. I demanded the same ecstasy that my sister had enjoyed! Pearl, he laughed at how little effect my struggles had! Then he kissed my hair, still chuckling, and quickly sought my intimate parts. I jerked in surprise at his acquiescence to my pleas but quickly fell into delight.
 

Truly, Pearl, I do not know what I was more distressed by at that moment: whether, his first denial of my satisfaction or, his casual and efficient provision of that pleasure!
 

I sat astride his legs, panting and tried to recollect myself. I was intensely aware of the contrast between my moistly glowing body and the rough strength of the body supporting me. He did not seem unaffected by the passion that Ethan and Cordelia had displayed. In fact, I suspected that his masculine tool was pressed hard against me in hope of similar pastimes. But his discipline over himself was as great as the control he had exerted over me. He made no further movement but simply held me still as we watched Ethan and Cordelia’s exhaustion.
 

Ethan opened his green-gold eyes finally and studied me. His tongue slid out and cleaned the last drops of blood from his lips.
 

“May I watch you, Don Rafael?” he asked humbly.

Don Rafael chuckled and stroked the inside of my legs.

“Bien, Ethan, muy bien. Yes, it is time for this paloma blanca to coo…”

Dearest Pearl, the most wonderful thing has happened! Reverend Smith has just stopped by. He is returning to Boston and will carry this letter directly to you. I know you will be intrigued by this tale, even half-written, so I must send this with him. I will send you the remainder as soon as I can write it

Pray convey my love to your family. I miss you desperately and will write more to you soon.

But for now, I remain,

Ever your truest friend,

A—

* * * * *

Dearest Pearl,

I have found the ending of my previous letter! I will add but a few words to it so that I can send it off to you immediately.
 

I believe that the summer heat here is more oppressive than in Beelzebub’s domain. Cordelia and I venture out only under protection of the evening’s cool, except for Sabbath services, of course! While we have not met any new young men since my last letter (for there are few here worth meeting), at least we encounter them during times of frivolity and friendly congress at the dinners and dances that Father’s friends offer. Then we retire to our room and read or dream of gallant men to bring excitement into our lives.

I believe that my last letter ended with me seated on Don Rafael’s lap, looking at Ethan. Cordelia slumbered on the bed, so lost to dreams that she would not wake until the sun had almost finished its next day’s course.
 

I am afraid to confess that I broke the silence with a question so unbelievable that even now, I blush to confess it.

“Are you vampires?” I asked, feeling a calm that owed much to my irritation at the gentleman holding me. I felt a slight ripple of surprise go through the big body holding me. Don Rafael tilted his head to look at me.
 

“We are, querida. But I give you my word: you have nothing to fear from us. We offer a simple exchange: rapture in return for a taste of blood. Our friends often find their way eased in matters outside the boudoir, as well. Your sister will awaken tomorrow, suffering only from the aftermath of pleasure and a slight lassitude. Her body will heal itself completely within a few weeks. She will remember nothing of this night.”
 

Cordelia emitted a slight snore as he spoke, her usual sign of deep slumber. (As you well know, Pearl, her other sign is stealing all the covers but that is not likely to happen during a Texas summer!)
 

Don Rafael continued speaking in the most melodious tones for such a deep voice. “And you, mi paloma blanca, now have to concern yourself only with your own pleasure. You will sing like a dove tonight, I promise you, low and sweet, your voice quivering with ecstasy.”

Somehow I believed him, Pearl! It truly was amazing that I accepted the assurances of this man, a vampire by his own admission! And yet I did trust him, at least for this much.
 

I must have relaxed in his hold because he slowly lowered his hand, bearing mine with it. My hands finished at my waist, grasped firmly by his strong fingers. I slanted my head back to look up at him for the first time.

“Will I remember this?” I asked. I yearned for memories to set against those of that drunken oaf who’d snatched my virginity away. And then had the discourtesy to fall off a horse and break his neck before Father could bring him to account. (But enough of that old lament, Pearl. I must speak more of the gallant Don Rafael.)
 

Don Rafael arched one eyebrow in surprise but smiled at me. I was so close that I could see how that dreadful scar cut into him, even denting the bone above his eye.
 

“Sí, you will remember this,” he granted me. “But you may only speak of this night’s events once. And do not worry about Ethan. He is my servant and will do only what I command. Comprende, senorita?”

I nodded eagerly. You have so often yearned for adventure, Pearl, that I knew you would enjoy a tale of dashing men if I could but tell it.

Don Rafael kissed my cheek and then rubbed his against mine. It was a gesture of the most amazing gentleness and, yes, even friendship! I purred under it, enjoying the touch. He smelled like the finest of gentlemen’s soap, sandalwood, I think. His teeth were excellent and his breath fresh and sweet. I thought suddenly that his kisses would be more pleasant than those from any of Father’s guests downstairs.
 

“Ethan, convey the young lady to the chaise lounge. Arrange her so that she may comfortably rest for the remainder of the night.”

Ethan nodded in obedience and stood up. He carried Cordelia to the chaise and arranged her as directed. All the while, Don Rafael kept me on his lap, murmuring into my ear. I am not entirely sure of what he said but some of it sounded familiar. Do you remember that Latin book your older brother had? The one that your parents refused to let us see but we spent an afternoon poring over? Don Rafael’s words reminded me of those phrases, sweet nothings that a lover might whisper. My body softened at the liquid syllables and the light caresses of his fingers on my hands.

Ethan returned to stand in front of us, eyes lowered. I watched him idly while preening under my gentleman’s touch.

“Curious, mi paloma?” Don Rafael whispered in my ear. “Would you like to see a man’s secrets?”

My indolence fell away in a rush. As you well know, Pearl, curiosity is my besetting sin. I sat up straight and watched eagerly as Ethan slowly began to unbutton his gray jacket.
 

Ethan took his time removing his garments. I may be mistaken but it seemed that his every gesture was calculated to tempt a woman. I was almost shaking with excitement when he finally stood revealed in the lamplight. He was a splendid sight as he posed there, white as marble and clean muscled. His golden hair shone only as demure accents on his torso, not as a heavy pelt concealing his charms. My mouth watered at the sight of him, all ivory and gold. A tracery of thin silver lines covered his backside with one line crossing his breasts just above his nipples. (Perhaps they were scars from a whip or a knife. They did not seem to hinder him in any way.) I studied him, comparing him to what little I knew of men’s bodies.

“What do you think now?” Don Rafael’s warm breath caressed my ear.

“He is a fine figure of a man,” I remarked, striving for savoir faire. “But he seems a bit,” I hunted for words, “soft perhaps, between the legs. Your body doesn’t feel soft there to me.”

Don Rafael rocked with laughter. I blushed at my own words but chuckled with him. Ethan blushed too but continued to wait.
 

“Ah, mi paloma, what shall I do with you? So inexperienced and yet so observant! You are a delight! Ethan is very new to the feel of a woman’s ardor as it flows through her blood over his tongue. He so far lost command of himself that he followed your sister into passion’s release. Please accept our regrets that Ethan cannot yet offer you the full use of his manhood. He will take some time yet to regain himself after tasting your sister. ”

Am I mistaken, Pearl, or did Ethan’s blush deepen at Don Rafael’s words? But I did not dwell on Ethan’s experience or lack thereof as Don Rafael continued speaking.
 

“Would you care to study another man’s body? Mine is not so elegant as Ethan’s but I can assure you that I am not soft between the legs.”
 

I agreed quickly and soon was deposited on the bed. Ethan dropped to his knees next to the chair, watching Don Rafael but leaving him space to move about in.
 

Don Rafael divested himself of his garb, the typical attire for a Mexican gentleman here in Texas, without any seductive tricks. His short jacket and tight pants emphasized his intense masculinity. His movements’ directness fired my blood so that my breath came faster and faster as his clothes fell away. He was a strongly built man, a veritable warhorse to Ethan’s racehorse. Every muscle and sinew spoke of power while his hardness reared up between his legs with a stallion’s vigor. (I must confess, Pearl, that I trembled at the size of his staff!) He had more than one brutal scar to emphasize a puissance that had been well tested by life. I was utterly conquered, as eager as any mare in season, before he even touched me.
 

He lifted my chin up with one finger and his mouth claimed mine. I was an eager pupil and our tongues soon twined and danced…

I have few words for what passed next, Pearl. My very senses were so dazzled that memories fail me. We kissed, oh how we kissed! And he caressed me with those magical hands, quickly freeing me of my few remaining items of clothing.
 

What more can I tell you? The feel of his mouth on my breast as he taught each nipple to beg for him? The slide of his long black hair across my hip as his lips moved below my breasts? Or the feel of his shoulders under my grasp, the muscles rippling as he moved? (His back was deeply scarred, like the former slave we saw at the abolitionists’ rally. You would weep, Pearl, to see flesh and blood ruined so! And yet in that instant, I cared more for the raptures that body could bring me than its past torments.)

And his fingers, Pearl, oh such marvels they taught me! I fell more than once off the precipice of delight as his fingers and then his tongue played between my legs. Then his mouth traveled back up to my breasts and I clutched his head in my frenzy, twisting against him like a demented woman as we lay side by side.
 

Don Rafael said something softly, an order perhaps, but I paid little attention, too lost in passion to listen.
 

A gentle hand stroked my legs and I instinctively bent my leg to allow it freer access. The hand insinuated itself to where my desire raged hottest. I groaned in an ecstasy beyond all words as Don Rafael’s hands and mouth ravished my breasts while Ethan stoked the fires below. Oh, Pearl, it was bliss beyond compare to have two men compelling me onward! I hope that one day you may feel the like of it!

My leg was urged upward until it at last clasped Don Rafael’s hip. I rubbed him urgently, the prickle of his leg’s hair a pleasant sensation for my sweaty thigh. We moved closer still and I felt his hardness pressing against me. This caused me to grow more excited yet. I gripped him fiercely with hands to his head, leg wrapped around his, and my head thrown back.
 

I begged him for more and he gave it to me. He entered me easily, sliding home on the liquid welcome my body rolled out for him. I felt utterly enveloped by him and yet marvelously free at the same time. Ethan caressed and licked us both, encouraging us to find our zenith. I sobbed my pleasure, my voice breaking slightly with each breath. My sounds were low and sweet, quavering like a dove’s voice.
 

Don Rafael’s lips sought my throat. I yielded instinctively and he rewarded me quickly. A fire blazed in my neck and I flew off my pinnacle into a storm of delight. Tremors racked my body as my blood flowed into his mouth on matching waves.
 

I must have lost consciousness then. I stirred once when horses went past under the window, perchance the end of Father’s dinner party. But slumber returned quickly, held as I was in Don Rafael’s strong arms, with Ethan lying on the other side of him…

And that is the end of the tale, at least as much of it as I can now speak of. Cordelia and I both slept deeply on the following day, awakening to a few bruises and some lassitude. Cordelia remembers nothing of that evening’s events, although I dare not speak of it directly to her. The small red marks on our necks were gone within a few days.
 

I hope to see Don Rafael again, perhaps in a few months when my body has recreated all of the blood he enjoyed so fiercely. But Father’s business dealings have gone uncommonly well since that night. He speaks often now of permitting us to return to Boston soon. Cordelia greets such talk with open delight while I strive to hide my uncertainties.