Free Dark Passion Rising by Shannan Albright

amongst the real deal.  
      He turned his attention to the black draped doorway by the bar,
noting the massive body guard in front of the entrance.  He knew what went on
behind those black drapes.  The rooms offered privacy for vampires to drink,
fuck, or, more than likely, both.  They were small and lavishly furnished, catering
to a variety of tastes for the vampire who could afford it.  He moved in that
direction, the guard locked on him.
     “Marcus, where the hell have you been?  Long time no see, my
friend.”  A husky, very feminine voice filtered over to him from the bar.
     Turning toward the voice, he found a small, petite woman behind
the bar mixing drinks.  Her dusky skin shone with the rosy hue of a recent
feeding.  Her dark curly hair, tamed by rows of braids, framed her heart shaped
face.
    “Mari, it has been a long time.  Business seems to be going well
for you.”  He smiled with genuine affection.
     Mari gave him an impish grin, showing the tips of her white,
sharp fangs.
    “Never better.  This keeps up I may have to find a bigger place.”
     “I’m glad to hear it.”
     “So, Marcus, what brings you to my doorstep?  Christophe is a
regular here, but you?  You don’t write, you don’t call.  Frankly I thought you
had forgotten all about old Mari here.” She pouted prettily.
      “Old?  Didn’t you hear that six hundred is the new thirty?  And
how could anyone forget you?” he laughed, hugging her fondly when she stepped
out from behind the bar.
    “Such flattery!  I think Christophe has taken his lessons from
you.  Now tell Mari, what I can offer you, hmm?”
    “I require one of your ladies for an hour.”
     Mari looked surprised.  “Perhaps I have it wrong and you are
taking up Christophe’s bad habits.”
     Marcus chuckled.  “I’m afraid I can’t hold a candle to his
voracious appetites.”
     “Too true.  Any preference on ladies?
     Marcus caught himself before asking for a blue eyed blonde.  “None.”
     Mari nodded to the hulking vampire at the drapes.
    “I will see if Tasha is available.  Just make yourself
comfortable.”
     Marcus moved through the hall, where the smell of blood and sex
hung thick, clinging to the back of his throat and in his nostrils.  The sound of
flesh slapping against flesh, the moans of pleasure and the grunts of
completion filled his ears.  Finding an unoccupied room in the rear, he made
himself as comfortable as possible on the satin pillows that littered the room.
 Incense smoke drifted softly through the room.  He looked up at the mirrored
ceiling, trying to push away the image of Tambra lying upon the silk pillows,
hair spread out, her body bare and waiting for his pleasure.  His cock twitched
at the image.  He closed his eyes against the vision his mind tormented him
with.  He just needed blood and sex, then he would be able to kill this
attraction he had toward the Pre-Rising woman.
     He heard the soft rustling of cloth and opened his eyes to the
red haired beauty standing before him.  She was dressed in a skimpy sundress
that showed off her ample breasts and shapely legs.  Her hair was long and
straight, flowing down to her waist.  
     “I’m Tasha, you were expecting me?” Her Russian accent was thick
and husky.
     “Come to me.”  He held out his hand.  “Ease my hunger.”
     She eagerly gripped his hand and sank down next to him, tilting
her head to the side to expose her throat while her hand wandered down his
chest to his cock.  Her body pressed invitingly against him, yet he remained
cold.  With his free hand he grabbed her wrist.  The delicate network of blue
veins tantalized his senses, sharpening his thirst.
      “Blood first,” he demanded, his voice harsh.
     She hesitantly nodded, removing her hand from him and again
exposing her neck.  Pulling her wrist toward him, he struck quickly, his long
canines punching into her vein.  She moaned in pleasure, squirming closer to
his broad