Blueblood: A Dark Southern Aristocracy

Retraining a Human

Colin hugged Gabriella knowing what she had to have felt seeing the sunrise. “We’ll see it again, but this time now, seeing it the first time in so long, you won’t ever forget.”

She tightened her embrace and just nodded. “Thank you, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll never forget, Cousin Colin.” She smiled as she wiped her face of tears. Then she looked at me. “There aren’t words to convey how much what you’ve done means. Thank you.”

I nodded. “He did most of it. I just made some things happen.” I said trying to sound like it wasn’t that difficult and therefore no big deal.

She walked over to me and kissed my cheek. “I know better.” She looked at her father. “And you! Stop guarding your heart. I know you love this man; you know you do.” She smiled walking over to Colin. “Now let him know it.” Then she let out a yawn. “This was the first night in a long time I’ve slept in a bed. It’s so comfortable! I’m going back for a while.” She kissed her father and then me. “Good day, Gentlemen.” She looked back at the sun and then walked back in her bedroom.

Colin just watched her go back and was looking at me sheepishly. “I’m almost there.”

I grinned. “When you are, I’ll be right here.” I reached up to touch him. “Can I?”

He smiled at me. “You don’t need permission now. I hope you will touch me.” He kissed me in a more probing way. “I’m giving you permission to touch me whenever you want, wherever you want.” Then he chuckled. “Just be somewhat discrete in public.”

“Heaven forbid I do otherwise!” I returned the kiss again and I loved what I was feeling which was desire and longing to get to that place where we could really be together. He had chest hair and I loved how it made him look and how it felt as my fingers ran over him. He was so warm now. His life before he was turned he was very fit and still was. His hair was a dark brown almost black as I said. His chest hair was also as dark. I could now see more of his chest which was very handsome. He said he worked the fields as much as those he employed on the plantation and I will tell you, the results were very nice. I was mentally taking inventory and liked what I saw. I noticed something I hadn’t been able to see before. I’d seen gunshot wounds and knew what was on the upper part of the left side of his chest. I touched it gently. The bullet had not been a modern bullet. “He didn’t miss, did he?”

He looked down at his scar and shook his head. “No. He didn’t.” He chuckled at the thought. “Dueling pistols may look good, but they’re horrible to aim. He wasn’t that good a shot anyway. My shooting in the ground after he…missed, what he hoped for to end my life, was an insult to him. That’s when he grabbed the gun from one of his witnesses and started firing. I grabbed one from my witness and shot back. I didn’t miss.” He shook his head. “I didn’t mean to kill him, just stop him.” He shrugged. “Over the years, I’ve thought about it and…maybe I did mean it. I just didn’t want to do it on purpose…I think.”

I nodded. “He didn’t give you a choice.”

Colin shrugged.

I waved over his body. “I assume everything else works just fine.”

He threw his head back in a laugh. “I’d say it does.” He pulled his pajama bottoms tighter, and I could see an erection a little under the material. Covered, but there it was. He was not a small man. I would get it later. “I…” he hesitated. “I love you, Devon.”

Those words from him sent sensations I never felt before. There were a few that said they loved me, but he really meant it. I kissed him again. “I will say I’ve not felt anything like I do you. I could say I love you, too, but you’ll know it’s more physical right now. I like you a lot and…I guess I’m the one not ready yet.”

He nodded understanding. “I told you. When you say it, you have to mean it. I’ll wait.” He then let a yawn out. “I need more sleep or coffee if we’re staying up. Don’t you have an appointment later?”

“I do.” I replied. “At two o’clock. I can stand a little more time in bed.” I grinned at him. “Sleep for now.” Taking his hand and leading us both back to bed.

It was noon when my eyes opened, and I realized I was being stared at. I smiled at the emerald eyes looking at me. “Hello,” I said stretching.

“Hello, to you, too.” He smiled moving toward me kissing me. “I hate to wake you, but you need clothes, and you have an appointment.”

I sat up quickly when I saw the time. “Oh, shit! I’ve got to get ready!” I ran toward the closet and bathroom.

“They’re meeting you. You aren’t late.” Colin said casually.

I stuck my head out beyond the door as I began running the shower. “There’s one thing I am never! I am NEVER late.”

Colin smiled. “I know.” He said back. “You understand why I can’t go with you.”

I looked back at him. “I can’t imagine why.” I rolled my eyes and went in the shower. I had to put on what I wore before. Colin frowned when he saw that.

“You’ve got over an hour!” He said with his arms crossed over his chest. “The Battery is right over there!” He pointed out of the suite. “Go downstairs and buy something! You’re not going anywhere for me dressed like that!”

I looked down at my clothes. “What’s wrong with it?” I had on jeans and a nice shirt.

“It’s fine. To work in.” Colin said logically. “As your boss right now, I’m ordering you to get something nice.” He grinned.

“Being bossy is not the same as being boss,” I said in a growl, but he could see I wasn’t serious. Not totally. “You know that.”

Well, you’re on my payroll,” he shrugged. “But you deserve to be. I’m not paying you for the companionship or friendship.” He looked a little uneasy at this idea. “When you love me, it will be because you love me, not because you’re paid by me to love me.”

I was startled. “Colin, I never thought that…” I assured kissing him. Then I shoved him away lightly. “I’m not that kind of guy! Only because I needed a job is how any money is involved.”

“Which you do very well!” He laughed. “I didn’t think you were loving me because I am paying you! I wanted you to know I knew that, too!”

I kissed him again. “I’m clear about that. Now, I’ve got to go,” I said running my hand over his chest as I headed out.

“Use the card I gave you to buy something nice to wear,” Colin called as I got to the door. “I’ll know if you don’t!”

The house I went to I had to be on time…after going to that exclusive shop in the hotel’s…little mall? There was nothing cheap here. Ralph Lauren? As proof, I sent what I had on up to be cleaned as part of Colin’s expenses.

The Battery. It was a famous part of Charleston! The harbor was right there! Fort Sumter was right there where the first shot that began the Civil War was fired. Not a proud moment for the South to me. Everyone wanted to live here, and no house as cheap. The truth was the property was more than just a house. There were homes here that had been damaged by hurricanes that were repaired on the outside only. The inside was empty. This house wasn’t technically ON the Battery, but off the Battery, but it was a good size.

There is another thing about houses in Charleston. In older days, a resident was taxed by the amount of house that faced the street and people thought, we’ll just make the part that faces the street thinner. Here the houses were not a lot on the street but stretched far back! This house had a nice front, and I knew whoever built it had money because of the amount of house that was on the street, and it stretched out behind. The important part was it was available now and partly furnished. As usual, I was on time. The real estate agent was late. I called and I texted with no answer. Strike one in my opinion. When he arrived his face sort of fell. He was a…I don’t know. He wore this expensive suit and drove an expensive car, but he was older and by that, I mean he was in his fifties. His dark hair was losing its grip on his head. He was a little heavy, which I had no issue with, but I could see he had an issue with me.

“You’re my two o’clock?” He asked in disbelief.

“Are you Mr. Crabtree?” I looked at my watch. “It was almost thirty minutes ago when it was two.” He judged me for something, so why wouldn’t I judge him for being late?

“This isn’t a frat house.” The man said sternly. “I don’t have time to waste for…”

“Of course, you do!” I interrupted. “That’s why you’re late! Whatever reason you have is just that, an explanation. It’s not an excuse!” I held up my phone. “Wonderful things these new things. Alexander Graham Bell invented this thing called the telephone to let people know if you’re going to be late! I texted you, I called you. Why would you think I had time to waste?” I shook my head, “It doesn’t matter, the fact you’re shocked at my age, you didn’t know, therefore my age was not an issue!” I rolled my eyes. “Do I look like a college man!? I’m twenty-eight years old! Soon to be twenty-nine in October. I’ve served in the Air Force! I am a veteran. Is it the fact I drove a Ford bother you? Why are you making assumptions because of these things?” I shook my head again. “Never mind. Send someone else, now! And I mean right now! What the hell do you think I want this for!? A joke!? You don’t think I know it’s expensive? You need tact, Mr. Crabtree!” I said approaching the man who was backing off in shock. “No,” I held my hand up to let him know I’d had enough. “I’ll handle this.” I got my phone out and called the office on the sign.

“I’m sorry!” The man said urging me to stop. “It’s just I’ve never sold or leased property in this neighborhood to someone…so young.”

I nodded. “Discriminated against because of age happens. Well, you’re not leasing to me. I work for Colin Wentworth. He’s the one leasing it. I’m not so sure this is the right place for him and his cousin.” I waved at the house. “He isn’t buying, he’s rebuilding his family mansion here in the area, so he only needs it a year or so.” I pulled out my wallet. “I want you to call the number on the credit card here. Find out whose card it is and whose authorized. Then I want you to verify I am who I am.” I handed him my veteran’s card and driver’s license.

The man waved them down. “I’m sorry. I was just surprised.”

I shook my head. “That’s not enough. I insist you call and verify all of it. Right now.” I folded my arms not willing to budge until he confirms it all. “Time’s a ‘wasting,” I said waving at him. “I’m a busy man, too. Now, get busy.”

The man did as I instructed making the calls. His whole demeanor changed when he came back. “I am so sorry, Mr. McGee. Will Mr. Wentworth like to see it?”

I shook my head taking the cards back. “No.” I shook my head. “He trusts me,” I said turning away and headed to the house. “Enough time has been wasted. He will trust my decision. Whatever my decision is.”

The house was large but needed some work on a few things. Five bedrooms and six baths, a dining room that could fit a party of ten or twelve at the table. A living room and a parlor! Parlors weren’t really needed anymore. The house was antique, but the bedrooms were good sizes and there were more rooms.

“Will this do?” The man asked hopefully.

“We’re sifting through some antiques now of Mr. Wentworth’s. Some of this may have to be removed.” I said casually knowing the man’s eye widened. “The china cabinet alone he has is bigger and prettier, so that can go.” I turned to the man. “Gabriella is Colin Wentworth’s cousin, and she will no doubt have the final say about decorating. I’ll leave it to her.” I turned as I headed out. “Are we going to be late again if I have him sign to get the house?” You need to know. Don’t piss me off. Strike one was him disrespecting me by being late. Unreliable. Strike two was his judging me without knowing a thing about me and if he didn’t do what I asked to confirm who I said I was and working for Colin Wentworth that would have been strike three and he’d be out. He pissed me off!! Idiot.

“I’ll bring the papers to him personally!” The man assured.

I smirked and thought, nice doggy. Maybe I should have made him sit up and beg for it.

I get back to the suite and knocked.

Colin opened the door and looked surprised a second and then slapped his own forehead. “You need a key, and I didn’t give you one.” He pulled me in. “Sorry.” He grinned and leaned in to kiss me.

I chuckled. “Do that again and all is forgiven.”

He smiled and kissed me again a little longer and deeper. “Well?” He asked quietly. “Am I forgiven?”

I rubbed his face as his hands came over me, pulling me closer as I felt his hands go over my back and almost go below my belt line, but stopped. I reached down and got his hand and lowered it his hand below my belt line. “You are. It’s okay that you want to touch me.” I said to him quietly. “You gave me permission to touch you. I’m giving you permission to touch me.” I kissed him with all the desire I could. “And I want to touch you.”

He smiled. “Can you say it now?”

I nodded but saw someone else in the room now. “But I’d rather say it in a more personal way.” I motioned behind him as his daughter had come in. “To just you, first.”

Gabriella stopped coming forward. “I didn’t mean to stop anything.” She motioned toward her room. “I can come back.”

Then I looked at her. She was breathtaking. Her long hair had been cut a little but below her shoulders and was straight and looked like she’d been to a salon wearing makeup and wore earrings and a necklace. She wore was a new women’s outfit with those pants and blouse open at the neck allowing me to see her neck where the necklace put large blue gem stone huge and earrings that matched the necklace. Even her eye shadow was a light blue. She looked spectacular. Light blue! I’d find out that blue was her favorite color. I walked over to her. “You look absolutely stunning!”

She did a turn so I could see her. “Pants!” She looked and held the material out a little. “Can you believe it? Women wear pants now and it’s okay! When they came up here I was so nervous, but…” she patted her father’s arm, “…Cousin Colin was there, so I was fine. It just took a few minutes to see these women were just women.” She shrugged. “Soon we were talking, and it just got easier. A lot of what they were talking about I couldn’t follow, and this was a time not to be gabby. So, I was fine…until they brought out this thing that blew on my head.”

Colin chuckled as he kept his arm around me. “A blow dryer.”

“It looked like a gun! Pointed at my head!” Gabriella defended pointing at her own head. “Things changed so much from what knew it was!”

Colin held his hand out stopping Gabriella. “She didn’t scream, I give her that.” He pointed out.

I shook my head laughing. “I’m sorry, Gabriella. I shouldn’t laugh. You didn’t know. How could you?”

She gave a little snort and sat down. “It’s fine. I just need to catch up. I don’t even know how to put this stuff on.” She said sadly to her own face that was made up but looked at Colin and me. “It’s nice to see you two getting along better.” She crossed her legs smiling. “I told you, you two are in love.” She smiled with the I told you so look.

“The woman that came up and did it will be back to show you how to put it on.” Colin then bumped his head against mine. “You did read me well as a child.”

She laughed. “Daddy, I haven’t been a child in over a century, but yes, I could and can read you.”

Colin kissed me on the temple. “And? What about the house?”

I nodded. “He’s coming with the papers for you.” I shrugged. “It’s big enough and it’s local. There are big rooms and a few rooms.” I hoped I hadn’t made a mistake. I looked at Gabriella. “I’ll need you to be there if Colin approves.”

Gabriella looked shocked. “Me?”

“I don’t know if he knows anything about decorating. He needs your eye.” I said about Colin.

Colin nodded. “He’s right. Your mother raised you to know what goes where. I pay people to tell me that now.” He smiled. “And when I finish Wentworth Manor, where we put what I’ll need you to tell me

Gabriella looked amazed at what we said. “So, you are rebuilding the manor?”

Colin nodded. “That’s why I came back.” He explained. “I want to rebuild what Brett Marshall destroyed. To make our lives whole again.”

“Can we do that?” Gabriella asked. “This Dr. Holms. Can he do it? Make us human again?”

Colin frowned. “He’s working on it. It still may take a while.” He admitted. “But he found a way to let us live a little more human. I’ve seen places in this world I thought I’d lost the opportunity to see. If anyone will find a way to reverse it, he will. He has enough knowledge for many Ph. Ds.”

Gabriella smiled. “Well, you say he’s like we are…he has time.” She shrugged.

“Okay,” I said. “Mr. Crabtree will be over in a few minutes. He’ll have the paperwork, Colin. I hate to break this up…”

When Mr. Crabtree came, he was a much…humbler man. Colin signed without any question about the house he just leased. I did however notice Colin’s eyes narrow looking to Mr. Crabtree.

“Was something wrong, Colin?” I asked when Mr. Crabtree left.

“No, it's fine.” Colin shook his head and then he looked a little ashamed for not answering. “Sorry, it’s just that, I got a feeling from him.”

“Oh? What feeling?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t give him my wallet to hold.”

“Was there something wrong with the contract?” I was now worried Colin would be cheated or just plain robbed.

Colin shook his head. “No, it was on the up and up. I just felt…he’d sell his mother if he thought he could make a profit.”

I grinned. “You might be right.” He did sense things about people.

We had a meal in the suite. Colin did take it down a little. He did enjoy the meal, but he…didn't make the show he usually did. Gabriella was not yet fully consuming though she also seemed to enjoy her meal with relish, tasting it more than a regular woman would. The salads a woman would opt for instead of something else was just not even considered.

“I have to ask.” I said sensing they were comfortable with me enough. “So, blame movies and shows…can you fly?”

Gabriella looked startled at the question. “Fly? How would we fly? People fly in planes,  but…”

Colin chuckled. “It’s been portrayed in those moving pictures that we are supposed to be able to. That’s purely Hollywood, Devon.”

“And you can’t just…vanish in a puff of smoke or change into a wolf?” I asked.

“It makes for a better story.” Colin smiled, “but no.”

“Crosses don’t repel you and make you hiss?” I asked.

“I know a vampire that is Jewish,” Colin said shrugging. “There are a couple of other religions I’ve heard were vampires.” He shook his head. “We get nothing. I’ve touched a few.” He got up and went into his bedroom and pulled something out. He came over and held a crucifix in his hand. “This was my wife’s.”

“There must be some interesting stories out there about vampires,” Gabriella said.

“Oh, yes!” I nodded. “Scary, exciting…one of my favorite was made in the late seventies…” I grinned at them, “I mean the nineteen-seventies or early eighties…Frank Langella played Dracula, a famous European vampire story where he played without make-up. Not to mention the spooky music that played when he was tracking a potential victim…or climbing down an exterior wall, upside down, defying gravity…creepy music…” I looked at Colin, “No music played with you…EVER!” I looked at Gabriella, “You should have that first night we met. You were scary.”

“I was supposed to be,” She shrugged, “To scare you away. That sounds interesting.” She looked out the large doors to the balcony as the sky was darkening. “How long before I can be outside?” She asked Colin. “In direct sunlight.”

Colin reached for her hand as he sat down again. “A couple of more days. The serum is working.” He touched her face. “It seems like you’re tolerating being up during the day well. You felt the tingling I mentioned?”

She nodded. “You were right, it was like the tingling when you hit your funny bone. It just gets stronger the longer I’m up. It’s fading now, but if I stayed out in direct sunlight, would it kill me?”

Colin shook his head. “It would be as bad as taking the serum the first time. You’ll give in and come inside.”

“Being what we were, we weren’t evil?” Gabriella asked quiet thinking she might be.

Colin shook his head. “We aren’t any more evil than anyone else. Some are much worse. I told Devon; I’ve assisted with men they were dying. I never killed a man to get his blood. Killing Ashley was to preserve my own life.” He chuckled. “Which seems now kind of futile.” He said grimly and swallowed some wine he’d chosen. He looked at me. “I’ll tell you all about what…at least what I know. George Holms explained what we have as an infection or disease. He said it was impossible to get rid of.” He sighed. “That’s why I’m still a vampire. It’s still in me and why if I don’t take the serum, I will become that blood-sucking creature again. The serum attaches itself to the vampirism and makes it dormant. We can never have children.” He said to Gabriella sadly. “But it’s not like a virus or bacteria that is vampirism. We become a vampire. There’s no virus or bacteria, it becomes part of who we are. A part of every cell and even part of our DNA, which George is trying to change. He can’t find the gene that makes us vampires. Our bodies will change and defeat anything we do or take to get rid of it.” He smiled at Gabriella. “So, I’m sorry, we still can’t age or die unless we do something foolish.” He smiled. “You and John never had any children? I have no grandchildren?”

Gabriella shook her head. “No.”

Colin nodded and grimaced. “When Gabriella was a young woman, I told her a man couldn't touch her until after she was maybe forty.” He chuckled. “That was just me being a father.” He smiled at me. “But she married at seventeen. He was also a distant cousin.” He grinned bigger at me.

I rolled my eyes hearing that. “Of course, he was.”

“Gabriella’s mother died when Gabriella was eight,” Colin said sadly. “I never lied to her or Gabriella. Her mother and I were friends, that’s all. I would love only a male.” He shrugged. “But I kept my affections secret from everyone else for Gabriella’s sake. I just never got the chance to find someone before…Brett.”

“But the vampirism is dormant,” I said trying to understand. “Can someone be turned by any other means besides your biting them?” What I was asking, was would I be turned into a vampire if I had unprotected sex with Colin. He seemed to understand that.

“Not that we’ve found out,” Colin said. “So far. This vampirism is passed from us like a snake passes on venom. In a new body it goes wild and becomes a part of who we are, every organ and in body fluid and in every cell, but no one has become a vampire by any other means.” He held his hand up. “Yet.”

I nodded. “That explains some other things.” I referred to his reluctance to physically love someone.

He shrugged. “Well, like HIV, it comes from direct fluid contact. The venom, but it must be done a certain way. Brett did it thinking it would kill me, not turn me. It hasn’t happened until now, so I’m trusting it won’t pass to you.” He smiled at me taking my hand. “I promised I’d never hurt you.”

I nodded. “Promise you won’t die at all.”

Colin’s eyes widened. “I can’t.”

“That’s right. You can’t.” I nodded again. “I can’t promise I won’t die in an accident tomorrow or next year. Life’s risk. There are things worth the risk.” I leaned forward toward Colin. “I’m willing to take that risk. Are you?”

I watched him sigh and close his eyes. “I’m just so lonely.” He said softly with so much pain. This was emotional pain, but it still hurt as bad as the serum. “I’ll die if you’re hurt, Devon.” He smiled sadly. “But yes.”

One more time Gabriella and Colin took the serum. And once again, there was the pain. Now the pain in both was hard to take for me. I knew I was in love with Colin, and I liked Gabriella more every day. She was his baby, his child. She never judged Colin or me. That was unusual even for a woman of the twenty-first century in the South. It was only five minutes for the serum to work on Colin. I watched again as sweat formed on his upper lip as he endured the pain. Gabriella’s was still lasting longer. Now she was sweating. I knew it was a good sign, but it still hurt her.

Colin got up from his chair and looked at her. “The serum, once it’s saturated the body will work faster and her pain will not be as long. Like mine, she will suffer a few minutes and then she’ll be fine.”

Gabriella had changed into a nightgown beforehand, which I will say was very pretty. And it was light blue. This time it lasted less than an hour and she finally relaxed.

“She’ll sleep again,” Colin said softly bending over picking her up and carried her into the bedroom. He came out closing the door softly and inhaling with a slow exhale as he came over to me and sat beside me on the sofa. “It seems to be getting better for her.” Then he looked at me. “We can watch a movie or get something to eat.”

I smiled at him slowly. “Colin…”

“Wait!” Colin began in a hurry. He pressed his hands together in front of his face. “Before you say anything…know this. I don’t know what will happen to you. I am a vampire. I wasn’t born one. I was made one.” He stood up and began walking in front of me in a preoccupied pace. “No, George Holms hasn’t found what makes me one. He’s found out about the venom…or whatever it is…has put something in me that makes me what I am. I don’t know what I’d pass to you. I am a vampire!”

I rose reaching over stopping him. “Colin,” I said softly reaching taking the side of his face in my hand. “I’m not a vampire. I can’t sense people like you do, but I know you love me.”

Colin nodded. “Because I told you.”

“No.” I shook my head. “You trusted me from the first moment. Why?”

Colin searched for words he could come up with. “At first, I saw a man that despite only living only a few decades, you’re smart and know people as well. I took the serum in front of you. You never turned away. I saw that you cared about me.”

I nodded. “I did and do, but you gave the credit card before that and authorized me to speak for you. People just don’t do that. Why did you?”

Colin threw his hands out. “I just did! I get this feeling of peace when I see you. Only one other person did that for me. Josiah!”

“But I’m not Josiah,” I said. “I will never be Josiah.”

Colin nodded. “I know.”

“I remember in Dracula, Count Whatever thought whatever the girl’s name was, was the reincarnation of his lost love,” I said quietly. “I was never and never will be Josiah.”

Colin chuckled. “I know that.” He smiled. “I’m saying…there is a peace I feel about you. I trust you. Am I wrong to trust you? I don’t know, I make mistakes.”

“Are you afraid you might make one now by loving me?”

“I’m scared!” Colin said louder than he may have meant to. “What will long term exposure do? I meant it. If you’re hurt. I will die.”

I nodded. “If I’m hurt. Hurt by you physically or emotionally? Because I love you, Colin?”

Colin made a sound of dread and almost turned away, but I held on to him.

“I will be clear. I love you. I am in love with you, Colin. If we stay together, even to work. We have to be together or not at all. I can’t take anything else, and you can’t either. Loving me shouldn’t scare you. I’m not. We must trust each other. You trust me. I trust you.” I said as loud. “Now, trust yourself!” I didn’t fling myself on him, but I did kiss him more than before. We had kissed deeply. Now I didn’t stop. He responded well enough, but he was still holding back. Wrapping my arms around him as I brought him even closer if that were possible. I felt him give in as he moaned and wrapped his arms around me. The kiss became consuming by Colin. Now he was no longer probing but devouring me. I felt his hands move over my back as I found us moving toward his bed. Bringing my hands around I began pulling his shirttail out as I unbuttoned his shirt, and he was doing the same with me. I heard him kick his shoes off as I pushed his shirt off. I felt my own shirt tail being tugged as his hands came over me and across me. Our embrace and exploration of each other didn’t stop. I could feel as he continued that invisible wall he put up began to break down.

It wasn’t too long before I felt my own heat grow and I was feeling light-headed as I pulled on his belt and pulled it free, unfasten his pants as mine was pulled open. As soon as we were free of all clothing, I ventured a look at him as he looked at me. I say this, to me there was nothing better than seeing a human male in his true form. Colin, to me, is the most perfect form of human I’d seen. No tattoos, nothing pierced, nothing trimmed except his facial hair and the hair on top of his head. The goody trail that seemed to spill from his naval was a path down to dark hair on his groin. He was aroused but seeing me it grew even more. The human male was a hunter. He used vision to search for targets. For food and for companionship, which we were hardwired for in our very souls. We seek out what we need, and I could see he needed me very much. I saw he was beautiful, and I wanted him, which he could see. What I also saw, was he wanted me. It looked like it might even hurt if something wasn’t done about it. To make sure we wouldn’t be disturbed, I closed the door from the living area to the bedroom and walked over to him. Reaching out I touched him in his personal area, caressing his cock which was so warm, so hard I feared he was hurting. I kissed him again, slowly, hoping I was conveying how important the moment was between us now.

“Let go.” I said softly to Colin. “I’m not afraid. Give yourself to me. Completely. I want you. I need you. I will not leave. Ever.” I pushed him back gently until the back of his legs hit the mattress and he sat down. I traced from his lips, down his jaw, neck and then kissed and licked lightly across his chest. Taking a nipple in my mouth I teased and licked each a few minutes making him moan. The sound was complete ease and desire which fueled me on as I laid him down, going down, lick and kissing until I was facing his arousal. I nipped the tip of his cock and then licked, covering his shaft as I ran my mouth over his erection and then took him in my mouth. What I heard was another groan, telling me I was doing well. His hands took both sides of my head at the ears, and he pulled me even closer, making me deep throat him. I’d done it before a few times, but this time there was really no discomfort on my part. I said before, he was not a small man. I’d seen those on the internet with larger ones, but I doubted some were real. I wondered with some of them, knowing how the penis worked if they would have problems later when blood pressure would be an issue. For Colin, that was not a problem. “Let go. I want you, Colin.” I said again softly.

I heard his moan become more basic and primitive. A grunt that lasted a few seconds and then he exploded in my mouth. “I love you, Devon.” And he came again and again. We were connecting on a very human level. He gently pulled me up and kissed me again. The desperation was gone, but his desire was very much there. He rolled us over and did the same for me. My fingers in his hair as he began until I came in him. Then he flipped me over. Gay sex had many positions only limited by our physical form and mobility. I heard a bottle open and wondered where the lube came from. Then I chuckled. Assuming a vampire alone didn’t have to relieve tension was a kind of ignorance on my part. I’d bottomed before, but he entered me slowly. I felt every inch of the man as he slid in. It was not long before he had a pattern and rhythm going. It was a little longer this time since he’d just cum, but soon he was grunting again, and I felt him release in me. Deep and again, it was once, twice, and then three times. The decades…a century or more where he held back, he wasn’t anymore.

“Now, you.” Colin smiled and rolled over letting me see his perfect backside. “It’s been a great while, but I’m good.”

He was a vampire, but as I slid in…he was warm, tight, and pushing against me for more. When I built up enough I also came in him. He had a look of contentment as he rolled over smiling at me. “I’ll never let you go, Devon. I love you.”

Kissing him again gently. “I know. I love you, Colin.”

He smiled. “I know.”

We slept a few hours. When I woke, those emerald eyes were looking at me. He saw me looking at him and his smile was in his eyes.

“Hi.” Colin greeted kissing me.

I laughed at his greeting. “Is this going to be a thing for you? Are you just going to look at me while I sleep?”

He shrugged. “Why not? You’re beautiful. I like looking at you. Do you mind?”

I pulled him to me. “If it’s you, no.”

“I’m hungry.”

My eyes rolled as I looked at the bedside clock. “We can order a pizza.”

Colin smiled thinking of what he could eat. “Yes. A pizza! Since leaving Charleston, I gained an appreciation for a good pizza.” He said almost with superiority. “And New York has some great pizza! There are a lot of Italians in New York!” He went into an accent that was clearly, classic New York. “Forget about it!”

I chuckled at his convincing impression and nodded. “You were there when a lot of them came through Ellis Island.”

“I was.” He rose from the bed. “But I’m not Italian, I love meat on pizza. I mean a lot!”

“And don’t worry about gaining weight,” I grumbled.

“It’s not fair, but it is a problem.” Colin pointed out. “I had no real reserves to depend on. That can be a big problem.” He shrugged. “I’ll get weak and have no energy if I don’t eat.”

I got up and walked over to Colin. “I suppose that is a major downside,” I admitted kissing him.

Colin frowned down at me. “Have you seen your mother?”

I shook my head. “I’ve called and texted, but we’ve been busy.”

Colin brought his arms around me. “Well, it will be a few days more, but I should get to know her. She should get to know me…and Gabriella.” He looked at me carefully. “Did you tell her about me?”

I grinned. “Sure.” I shrugged. “By the way Mom, Colin and I are falling in love. Yes, he’s still employing me, by the way, he’s a vampire and over two hundred years old.” I gave him a slight shove. “That’s not the sort of thing you share too soon.” I patted his bare chest. “And not in a cell phone call or in a text.”

Colin chuckled. “Well, we’ll have a dinner real soon. She’ll have to know who and what we are.” He said firmly. “No secrets.” He said with his finger touching the end of my nose as if he were a parent…or partner. He would be a partner, I was sure.

“You trust me. If it’s to be pizza, I know who I think will be the right place.” I said going to my phone. “I’ve not had it, but he claims to come from New York and makes authentic New York Style Pizza. They have excellent calzones! That I’ve had those and they’re great.”

“Sounds good.” Colin nodded. “I’m leaving your mother to you. You know her and how she’d react.”

“She’d react as any person would,” I said throwing my hands out at the statement. “She’ll be trying to look for a logical explanation and the most logical explanation is you’re insane if you believe it. The second explanation is you’re trying to do something illegal and trying to deceive me and everyone else. I saw the picture of you, and you were standing in front of me. I didn’t believe it at first. I don’t know who would.”

“You know I’m not,” Colin said with not quite certainty. “I am what I say.”

“With very little proof,” I pointed out. “We’ll deal with whatever, whenever. I’ve been busy and we both have a lot to do. Tomorrow, I go to Wentworth Manor as they take things out of the basement. Every piece will be noted, inventoried, and logged in. Then we can have a working knowledge of what you have, want to keep…when you start the rebuilding, there may be things you’ll want to put aside until the reconstruction is finished. I’ll have a complete inventory.”

Colin hugged me; his face pressed next to mine. “You doubt my ability to know people. I knew you could do it.”

I was still shocked at his trust of me, but I would not let him down. “You didn’t expect to find anything there.”

He nodded. “Gabriella was the one that took a lot of the things down and…” he shrugged. “She guarded it. At night, she would protect it even more.”

“A lot of that stuff is heavy.”

He nodded with a chuckle. “But you know what she was.”

I grinned. “So, super strong?”

He nodded a shrug. “After you feed, yes.” He kissed me and grinned. “Now order the pizza, or do you prefer to go there?”

“It’s late.” I reasoned. “Delivery will be better.”

We dressed in two of the big bathrobes for when the pizzas arrived. We got two large pizzas and he enjoyed one alone. I had some of one, but he ate one entirely and nearly haft the other one. It was good. Colin said it was close to an authentic New York Italian pizza. What did I know? I thought Papa John’s was good. Pizza Hut was also good. The only ones I didn’t care for were those greasy kinds that were quick and cheaply made which I eat only when that was the only choice.

I wanted to know more about what happened, so I asked. “Brett Marshall was the one that changed you?”

Colin nodded as he drank his Dr. Pepper. “I was his first.” He shrugged as he chewed. “He’d fed before and killed by then, but he wanted to do more than kill me. He wanted me to suffer. It was almost a sunrise when he attacked me. The venom he gave me started to work. His intention was to bring me over and then I would suffer from the rising of the sun and burn.”

I nodded. “Okay. He brought you over and left you outside. How would he know he got what he wanted? He was a vampire and couldn’t see it.”

Colin chuckled. “I never said he was smart. He didn’t see things too far in advance. A vampire can live outside if he does things. The ground where I was laying was soft and moist. As the sun was rising I dug, burying myself. It’s dirty and smelled horrible, but I lived. When he came back that next evening he was shocked to see I was alive. He thought I’d be ash.” He shrugged the nod again. “That wasn’t what he wanted. I was the same as he was then and he could kill me, but he’d never beaten me when human. He certainly couldn’t do it after I was a vampire. He thought he was killing me when he attacked and so he was a little happy he was making me a killer. When I didn’t, he was then bent of destroying my family. He was determined to destroy everything. I began feeding on farm animals like cows, horses, goats…” he shrugged. “…rats when I could get them. Gabriella did the same, so she told me. Deer, pigs, and other animals were her sources. You learn to make do.”

“Your decision to go north was tricky.” I ventured. “Not knowing where to go exactly and where to be safe.”

He gave a shrugging nod, “I first fled to Morganton, North Carolina where I knew of some big caverns there. That kept me safe in the daytime,” he sighed, “but men were coming there often during the day because they were so large.” He thought again. “The I hear about Manhattan and underground tunnels they were building for the subway trains.” He shrugged, “The tunnels were downtown and would be perfect for my needs.” Colin nodded. “I left myself time to find the places to hide and then hunted. There were a few dogs I fed on. Once I was in New York, that was perfect. Even back then they had the perfect underground, and I could hunt day and night!” He snickered. “They have big rats.”

I chuckled. “I’ll take your word on that.” Then I frowned. “Do you feel each other? Or is that another Hollywood thing where you feel each other?”

He shook his head. “Not until he’s close. As in a few feet. Even unseen, I can feel him if he’s close.”

“I see.” I nodded.

“That’s why I am also scared,” Colin said solemnly. “I’ve put you in danger. Gabriella doesn’t know who the vampire was that bit her. She tells me she remembers him from when we had parties and Wentworth, she’s sure he was there at a few of them, but I believe it was Brett.” His eyes went to me. “He can’t harm me now, but he could harm you. He would if he’s still around. You said it, we don’t know. I’ll die if you’re hurt, but I can no longer put life on hold in fear.” He leaned toward me and kissed me slowly and tenderly. “I do love you, Devon.”

“I love you, too.” I smiled running my fingers through his hair.

Colin smiled. “I know.”

Getting up the next morning, it was just before dawn. I noticed the door to Colin’s room was open a little to hear if Gabriella had a problem. I looked out. Gabriella was waiting on the balcony as the sky was again beginning that glow on the horizon. I put the robe on and walked outside with her.

“It’s so pretty,” Gabriella said knowing I was there, but not taking her eyes off the sky. “I wish I could explain how I feel. These past decades have been this long nightmare I never thought would ever end.”

“I don’t believe there are words that can convey what you feel.” I smiled. “Even the best imagination can’t grasp what you two have been through.”

She glanced at me smiling and then looked back at the sky. “I didn’t think it could ever happen. If this is a dream, I never want to wake up.”

“This has been unbelievable since I first met Colin.” I chuckled. “This has been an impossible couple of weeks to believe if I hadn’t lived them.”

She laughed at that. “Words wouldn’t convey that either.” She reached out and took my arm bringing me closer as she laid her head against my shoulder as more of the sun appeared. “My world collapsed when Daddy died. I thought he was gone, and I was alone. Then one night he was just there again, and you were there.” She and I watched the great orb rise higher over the horizon. “Colin is a unique man, Devon. He has always felt things deeply. He’s a man of great ideas and compassion but has only felt a connection with one person.” She looked at me. “That’s you. He needs you, Devon. I know you won’t leave him. I don’t know what the future has in store for him or you, but he loves you. More than my mother and even more than Josiah.” She smiled. “I knew about Josiah and so did my mother. My father never hid his affections, and I knew he loved Josiah, but even then, when he spoke of Josiah…I’ve not sensed the deep feeling he has now. He loves you.”

I didn’t have anything to say, except… “I can’t believe you are so…open to the idea.”

She looked at me and blinked. “Why? I’m his daughter. He raised me.” She said reasonably. “He taught me to see things as they are. Love is love.”

I shook my head. “You almost sound like it’s destined.”

She shrugged. “Who’s to say? Maybe it is, maybe not, but it is.” When the last of the sun had risen over the horizon, she leaned to me kissing my cheek. “Well, I’ll be here again tomorrow probably, but I’m going back to bed.” She smiled as she stretched. “I’ve still got a long way to go, but if Colin and you are here, I’ll be fine.”

I couldn’t understand what she felt. This was a whole new world for her that she was trying to understand but had no foundation. Hopefully, Colin and I could give her one. I did what I needed to do and walked back into the bedroom where Colin was stretched out under the sheets as he lay on his stomach. I even chuckled at the slight rasp that wasn’t a snore but could be heard. He was human. Pulling the cover up I slid in beside him, my arm going over his back as I rested my head against his back. Yes, I loved him. I was surprised at how fast and complete I was feeling. It wasn’t just physical. I loved Colin. He was so comfortable with me, his breathing only changed as he knew I was here, and he eased back into sleep.

When Colin got up, he smiled as he came out of the bedroom with a yawn and saw I had the precious coffee there and waiting.

I waved at the pot as I sat, dressed and ready for the day. “It’s a few minutes old but still warm.” I drank some of the preferred cold coffee. “Brewed as strong as you like it.”

Colin nodded coming to the silver pot and as always inhaled the aroma from the pot first. “You know me.”

I grinned. “I do.” I got up walking over to him. “I like everything about you, Colin. I love you.”

This vampire was blushing as he smiled. “I love you. Why are you dressed so early?”

“They are doing inventory at the manor and moving things to storage. I promised to be there.” I said. “You know…”

He nodded and completed the statement with me. “…you’re never late. I know.” He kissed me gently. “I guess you’ve already had breakfast.”

“Not your kind of breakfast, but yes.” I picked up my keys from the table.

“I look forward to your coming back.” He said picking his keys up. “Take my car.” He kissed me again. “Drive safely.”

That morning was very productive. There were things brought out of that basement I knew were very valuable. Furniture and a collection of china plates and crockery. Vases with the soft letters “az” used, not the hard “as.” A china cabinet to hold a lot. Tables, chairs, and sofas. They had been covered and protected. Many things needed cleaning, but for the most part, intact and could be saved. It took a lot of the day to catalog everything and get some of it on trucks to take away. By five thirty that afternoon, I told the people that I had to go for the day and return the next. We’d have the whole basement cleared in a few days.

The grounds were now cleared of a lot of the Kudzu and debris. The path was more accessible. The house was being cleared of trash and the foundation was beginning to be seen. Things were shaping up to begin rebuilding. The house that Colin had leased was ready and we began getting ready to occupy it. I chuckled as I thought about that. I said “we” as if I belonged there, too. Life had certainly come one hundred and eighty degrees for me, but I never felt this…rightness before. Things were falling into place, not only for me but for Colin and Gabriella.

Arriving at the suite, it was just after sunset. Entering the suite, I saw Colin on a laptop computer as Gabriella watched TV. An old episode of  “I Love Lucy” on the large screen. Gabriella wore another new outfit, this one was a real dress. Again, light blue. Her hair again was done, cascading below her shoulders and makeup on. Colin looked up as I entered, and his face softened seeing me as he smiled.

“Welcome back.” Colin greeted rising as I got close. “How did it go?” He kissed me tenderly. “I missed you.”

I nodded as my arms went around him. “I missed you, too. It went well. I’m going back in the morning. The road to the manor is almost cleared to begin tearing down what you won’t need.”

Gabriella turned from the screen a moment. “Hi, Devon.” Something on the screen caused her to laugh and she pointed at the screen. “This woman is extremely funny! Have you seen her?”

I nodded. “I have. She’s a classic comedienne. Lucille Ball. It’s her immortality.” I thought a moment. “I envy you, Gabriella. You’re seeing her for the first time, I grew up on reruns of that and other shows.”

She chuckled at something else on the screen. “It’s not a bad thing, but I envy you’re seeing this as a classic.”

Colin nodded and waved at the screen of his laptop. “You should see the plans!” He said excitedly. “The house will not only be rebuilt, but it will also be more grand than it ever was. It was the jewel of the South. It will be again. I’d like to save as much of the original of the house as I can, but if I can’t…” he shrugged. “It will be brought back. It will be a smart house with all the things a modern structure needs to take it into the next century.” He pointed to a computer-generated picture of a truly magnificent entrance that was large, spacious and…to me, a little over the top. Two stairs rising on either side of a marble, checkerboard black and white floor that showed a door on the other side of a great hall far away. A chandelier hung from two or more floors up dangling over the floor, but still high above. Gabriella forgot about Lucy and came over to look at the screen. Then he hit a button and pointed to the TV screen where the images could now be seen much larger. Gabriella looked at them as her eyes grew. She seemed familiar with them, but also amazed. She went to the TV screen as hallways appeared and then rooms. A wide hall with paintings and furniture, a long carpet running down the center. Then a ballroom was seen, and it was like the others, grand. A large floor for dancing and mingling. The marble here was shiny and stretched from a fireplace on one wall to another on the other wall. Bedrooms were elegant and big. There was a library and music room, an office, a solarium, a dining room big enough for twenty at the table over which were two smaller versions of the chandelier hanging over the table in the long room. A gourmet kitchen with every imaginable cook top or whatever. Some things I had no idea what they did. This was going to cost major money. Colin said he had it, so what was my part in this? Designated worrier? I had a flash of me fretting over something I had no control over, and this was just too unreal! Then I looked at the computer screen and then the TV and there it was. Real.

“It’s big!” Was all I could say.

Colin chuckled with a nod. “Yes, it is.” He shrugged. “I suppose it’s due to how I grew up. When you have a station in life, you show it. We did it all. Bigger rooms, wider hallways…even the excess material on the floor where there were curtains. You told people you’re someone when you have so much in spilling the material on the floor because you could!” He hit a button and the interior walls came up. “Complete with optic cables and air conditioning. Also, it will have solar panels to save on expenses. Outside I plan to have a walled garden with roses and other plants. It will be spectacular!”

Watching his eyes as he talked about it, I saw this was something he had planned a long time. There was a light in his eyes when he spoke of the manor and what he wanted. It was a kind of obsession.

I grinned at him. “I’m sure it will be.”

Gabriella walked toward the large TV screen and reached out to touch the images that she’d seen. “These paintings are amazing.” She stood up and grinned. “I know, they aren’t paintings. Photography was just beginning when we were…human.”

Colin nodded with another chuckle. “Well, it’s gotten a whole lot better. Even the TV screen, as you see, I Love Lucy is in black and white. Now the screen looks like a window looking in seeing all the color and details.” He smiled at her and then looked at me. “I think Gabriella is ready for an evening out.”

Gabriella looked shocked. “Out? With people? I’m not ready.”

“We’re simply going downstairs to eat,” Colin said as his arm came around me. “We’ll have a nice dinner in the restaurant. Just the three of us, you’ll be fine. How was the tingling today?”

Gabriella shook her head. “Not as bad as before but felt.”

“Now that the sun’s down, it should be gone.”

She nodded. “Yes, but I’m not sure I’m ready for others.”

“There have been others up here. You must be ready sooner or later. Devon and I will never leave you.” He looked at me. “You need more clothes.” He pointed to the bedroom where there were boxes on the bed. “I took the liberty of calling downstairs and had them send some things up in your size. Pick what you like, send back what you don’t, but pick something so we can go eat.”

I nodded. “I need a shower first, but okay.”

I showered and came out looking at what he’d gotten for me. There was everything, including underwear and socks. Colin opened the door to the bedroom as he came in.

“I didn’t know your shoe size, I had to guess,” He pointed to another few boxes off to the side of the room against the wall. “I got size eight to twelve, but I didn’t think a twelve would fit.”

This was just…so… I shook my head. “Gabriella said if what was happening was a dream, she hoped to never wake up.” Walking over to Colin. “I know what she means. You’re an amazing man, Colin. No matter what century you were born in.” I watched as he flushed a little. “You’re kind, compassionate and funny.” I wrapped my arms around his neck as I drew him into a kiss. “I am falling helplessly in love with you.”

Colin chuckled as he returned the kiss. “Just as I am with you, Devon.” Then I heard a noise from his mid-section.

“A vampire’s stomach growls?” I asked grinning in amazement.

“Well, I am one and it did just growl. So, yes.”

“Then, I better hurry!” I kissed him again and made my choices quickly and dressed.

We went downstairs to the restaurant to eat. Gabriella was still looking at the hotel in amazement. It was interesting to see things she found fascinating.

As we waited for our appetizers, I ventured some other questions. “You were a success as a plantation owner. What was your export?”

Gabriella chuckled. “I thought you could figure that out. Blue! We raised Indigo.” She waved at her outfit. “Blue is my favorite color. That was our main cash crop.”

I nodded with a chuckle. “Sorry, I didn’t make that connection.” I turned to Colin. “I don’t recall any mention of the Marshall family in Charleston history.”

Colin gave a shrug and nod. “That’s because he isn’t from Charleston. He’s not even from South Carolina. He’s from Georgia, but his family made money and there were charges saying they were also pirates. They had a plantation near Brunswick.”

“Other than what Brett’s brother did in challenging you to a duel and lost, what was Brett’s problem? He was successful, you said. What was his problem with the Wentworths?” I asked.

Colin shook his head. “That’s a different story. The problem goes back to my grandfather. Brett, his brother and all the others in his family believed in class. A caste system. You were born into a life and that was because you deserved it. Why? I can’t say. A slave is always a slave. A man of good breeding is a man of good breeding. He believed himself to be well bred. The schism began with my grandfather who lost a few shipments to the pirates that were stolen, and men were killed. He investigated and found Brett’s grandfather was the man that led the Pirates. The problem was proving it in court. We were accused of ruining the family name for the Marshalls. Brett thought he’d do the same for us.”

“We’re going back to the 1700s!” I shook my head. “But he became a vampire, but who made him!?”

Colin shrugged. “I don’t know. The rumor is it had been a former slave that bit him. I don’t see how that can be, but that’s the story.” He shook his head again. “The problem was everything he tried as a plantation owner, seemed to fail. His family was good at being pirates. What I did was successful, and he resented that. He would do whatever it took to bring my family down.”

“They almost did,” I said sadly, but smiled. “But you’re still here.”

We had a nice meal and then walked around downtown Charleston. There were many people out that evening and Gabriella again just looked in wonder at what she saw.

“I know this city, but it’s all so…different at the same time!” Gabriella said in wonder.

“We should begin moving into the house on the Battery in a few days,” Colin said to Gabriella. “You should be feeling up to doing that soon. I’ll want you there to make sure things are…where they are supposed to be.”

Gabriella nodded. “So, long as you don’t expect me to know a lot about all these new things, sure.”

Back at the suite, Colin gave Gabriella her injection and waited as she went through the pain. This time, it lasted about fifteen minutes before she relaxed and that made Colin smile.

“She’s getting adjusted to it. The serum in her system has reached a point and the levels are evening out.” Colin said as he closed her bedroom door and got things together for his own injection.

I came over, stopping him. He looked at me questioning.

“Do you trust me?” I asked.

Colin didn’t even take a second to nod. “Of course, I do.”

I took the syringe. “Guide me through how much to give, I’ve seen where and I was a medic, I can give injections.” I looked at him. “I’ll do it for you.” I pushed him onto the sofa.

That seemed to touch Colin deeply. “Okay.” He smiled as he kissed me gently and rolled up his sleeve. He told me the amount but smiled as I prepared him medically, cleaning the site with the alcohol swabs and getting the serum in the syringe. Injections weren’t hard, but you could mess it up by going too far or not enough. After I put the tourniquet on, and the veins came up. He had veins like garden hoses, it seemed. I pushed the needle in knowing I had gotten where I needed to be. I did as I had seen him do, injecting the serum and removed the needle and tourniquet. Only this time, I sat with him on the sofa as the pain came for him and held his hand. This serum was keeping him not only from becoming a vampire but alive. How could I not be a part of the process? I got a cloth to wipe his forehead, lips, and face as he endured the pain, only this time, he looked directly at me with those green, green eyes.

“I love you, Colin,” I said as he went through this agony. It hurt me to watch, but only because I saw tears form in the corner of his green eyes.

“I…love…you…too.” Colin managed as the pain continued and to my surprise, he smiled! He was in a lot of pain, but he smiled at me! His breathing started to relax.

“I do love you, Colin,” I repeated pressing my forehead to his. “I’d like this to stop, but this is what you’ve shown me we have to do.”

Colin’s eyes held more than love. There was also a desire, but something else. He was unprepared for what I said, and that love was seen easily by me in his eyes. He reached up taking both sides of my face bringing it toward him as he kissed me, deeply and again consuming me. His breathing increased as his desire grew. “That was the nicest serum injection I’ve ever gotten.” He said almost breathless.

I wiped his face of the sweat and tears. “I just wish there was something I could do more to ease the pain,” I said softly as our foreheads rested together.

“You did.” Colin smiled. “You loved me.”

“You know I do,” I said.

“And you were willing to stay the whole time while it worked,” Colin said kissing me again. “That told me how deeply you do love me. You were not only willing to see me go through this but sit with me while I went through it. Your hand got tighter around mine as the pain came. This time, I went through it knowing you were with me.” He sat up kissing me more, pushing us back toward the bedroom.

My arms came around him more as we went. I loved how he felt against me and under my hands, strong, warm, and getting warmer.

“Make love to me, Devon,” Colin said in my ear as his lips traveled down to my neck as he kissed his way and unbuttoned my shirt. “I know you love me; show me you love me.”

I did! The pace we set was slow and easy but intensified as I made love to Colin. He preferred to face me while I did, and I came in an explosion of love and passion. Then he did the same for me.

In the afterglow of our loving Colin rested his head against my chest as I played with his hair.

“I don’t know how long we’ve got together, Devon.” Colin began softly. “I wish it was forever, but…”

“I’ll die and you won’t,” I said thinking I knew.

Colin looked up frowning. “I don’t know if that’s true.” He said softly. “The serum is being improved.” He smiled. “The only thing has been the aging part that hasn’t been solved, but my body is coming back to life still. I may start aging again.”

I frowned. “Some people would say that is the fountain of youth.”

Colin looked unsettled at that. “Believe me, living as I did was no fountain of youth.”

I sat up more. “But it is! You were a vampire, but now you put up with a few minutes of pain and you don’t age!”

“And that’s not all it’s cracked up to be,” Colin said not understanding why I didn’t see that. “I watched my friends die! My family was moving on and I didn’t! I lost everything.”

“But they could if they were turned, your friends could have lived as long as you have as long as they take the serum!” Now, I was not understanding why he didn’t see this point. “A life of hundreds of years versus maybe a life sixty or seventy years is a fair trade for most people.” I pressed my own chest. “I’d like that, too. I admit it, I’d love to be like you are. I dread the idea of growing old and dying while you are still forty!”

Colin shook his head. “But it’s not right.”

“Who says?” I asked. “The reason I would like it is because I love you. I would love to spend centuries with you.”

Colin looked horrified at what I said. “No! You wouldn’t!” He said very loud.

“How do you know? No one’s had a marriage that lasted that long because no one lived that long!” I said equally loud. “I’d do it for you! To love me and then lose me because I die of old age! That’s horrible!”

“I didn’t choose this!” Colin said angrily. “It was forced on me! You would never face a day when you couldn’t be outside without taking the serum.”

“So, what?” I asked. “Diabetics have to take insulin several times a day. They live.”

Colin sat up taking my arms. “Listen, Devon. You do not want to be like what I am.” He was really scared I would seek this life out. “I can’t make you one and I wouldn’t if I could. I treasure what you have given me. I never risked my heart before because of what you just said. I would live and you won’t, but I love you. I always will. I love you too much to do that!”

“Immortality has been sought since man began,” I said to Colin as I stroked his face. “I like my life as it is,” I said knowing he could sense the truth. “Why did you love me? Why choose me?”

Colin shrugged. “You know why. From the moment we met, I knew you were special. Why? I don’t know. I told you, I sensed peace. I just knew I had to have you in my life. I was falling in love before we even left Wentworth Manor that morning, but you do not want this life!”

I smiled kissing Colin. “I don’t want this, I want you.”

“I can still be killed,” Colin said.

“And I could die tomorrow in a car accident or shooting,” I said. “Can I get back to you in a couple of decades on what to do next?”

Colin relaxed as he grinned. “I think I can give you that.”

“Who knows? You may find me hard to live with if you want me to do that.” Okay, I was fishing for the answer I wanted to hear.

“You mentioned marriage.” Colin grinned. “Now you are hinting about us living together. Do you want to do that?”

I looked like I really didn’t care. “I suppose we could try it a while.” I waved at the suite. “I have pretty much for the past few days as I’ve lived with you.” Then I looked in his emerald eyes. “Do you want me?”

Colin smiled. “I waited two centuries to find someone like you. Yes, I want you. We could do it. We’ll enjoy what we have.”

“That sounds great.” I smiled pulling him back down as I kissed him deeply. Looking down at him. “I see you’re ready for some more loving.” I grinned as I nipped his lips lightly. I guided his fingers, so they touched my erection. “So am I.”