Click here for the Kate Hill page.
World of Blood and Soul
The Following short story, THE HALLOWEEN BALL, is for readers 18 and over.
Bloody or Nothing: The Halloween Ball
By Kate Hill
(Gay Vampire Erotic Romance)Blurb:
After holding a grudge out of guilt, Jonah decides to make amends with his partner, Jeff, at the annual Bloody or Nothing Halloween Ball. The guys prove that even after two-hundred years together vampires still love to kiss and make up.
"He's not going to be here," Jeff said, his gaze shifting from the black-haired man seated on the barstool beside him to the entrance of the vampire lounge.
Though Bloody or Nothing hotel serviced humans as well as blood drinkers, this was a vampires-only area. Usually a busy place, it was especially lively tonight due to the annual Halloween Ball.
Jeff and Jonah hadn't missed the event since they'd joined the hotel security team twenty years ago when their blood father, Esteban, AKA Sudsy Waters, opened Bloody or Nothing. Neither Jeff nor Jonah were into fashion outside of athletic wear, but they enjoyed dressing up for the Halloween Ball. This year Jeff masqueraded as a sexy farm boy, wearing tight denim overalls with no shirt beneath and one strap strategically cut off. It displayed his tall, well-muscled body to his advantage. A cowboy hat covered his reddish hair, except for a few random tendrils that clung to his neck. Though he'd caught the eye of several guests, both male and female, he didn't care. The one person he wanted to arouse hadn't bothered to come and Jeff knew Jonah was staying away to spite him.
Earlier that night when he'd reminded Jonah of the event, the brooding blond hadn't so much as glanced up from the magazine he was reading while sprawled on the couch in their shared suite.
"Not going," Jonah had replied, his voice almost a growl.
"He'll be here," Julian said, dragging Jeff back to the present. The singer took a sip from his wine glass and glanced at the gold watch on his wrist. Instead of a costume, he wore a black suit and tie with a gold-and-diamond jack-o-lantern tie pin. That was as festive as Julian got. The man took fashion far too seriously to be caught dead in a flashy costume, or even an understated one.
"No way," Jeff said. "He's holding a grudge, though I don't know why. Instead of being mad at me he should be thanking me for saving his ass."
Three nights ago, while Jeff and Jonah searched the streets of Las Vegas for members of the dreaded new reign, they'd been ambushed and outnumbered. Jeff had a chance to escape, but he'd refused to leave Jonah. They'd managed to subdue their attackers, but had been injured in the process. Jeff's side still hurt where he'd been cut by a silver blade, a substance poisonous to vampires. His regenerative powers helped him heal quickly, but silver injuries lingered. Jonah had sustained some broken ribs which had already healed.
"You know why he's upset," Julian said. "You were hurt protecting him when he told you to run."
Jeff snorted. "Run. Right."
"Think about it. How would you feel if he'd been hurt helping you?"
"It's what partners are supposed to do for each other."
"That doesn't answer my question."
Jeff shook his head. Over the past two hundred years or so he and Jonah had received their share of injuries. Still he admitted, just to himself, that it pissed him off when Jonah got hurt because of him.
"Would you have left Sudsy?" Jeff stared hard at Julian.
"Hell no. I'm not suggesting you were wrong. All I'm saying is it's understandable that Jonah is a little mad at himself because you got hurt rescuing him."
"If he's mad at himself, why is he taking it out on me?"
"How should I know? Shit, Jeff, you guys have been together for like two hundred years. If you don't know why he's acting this way, then who does?"
Jeff shook his head, finished his mug of beer in one gulp and considered ordering something stronger. He'd hoped tonight he and Jonah would make up, then he'd have something far better to drink than alcohol. Sure, he'd been getting blood from a bottle to aid his healing, but it wasn't the same as sipping Jonah's blood while they made love.
"He loves you," Julian said as if that explained everything. In truth it did.
"And I love him," Jeff said in a low voice. "Which is why there was no way in hell I could have left him there."
Smiling faintly, Julian winked and said, "I know. So does he. He'll come around."
"Yeah, but not tonight."
"Oh no?" Julian said and pointed toward the rear entrance of the lounge.
Jeff turned and saw Jonah walking toward them. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of the tall, drop dead gorgeous blond. Jonah wore black trousers and boots, a black patch over one eye, a gold hoop earring in one ear and a diamond stud in the other. He'd forgone the billowy white pirate shirt and the muscles in his powerful torso rippled beneath the dim lights as he approached the bar.
"I need to get back on stage. My next set is about to start," Julian said. With a grin, he added, "Besides, I think someone is about to claim this barstool."
A moment later, Jonah took the stool Julian had vacated.
"Hey," Jonah said, his blue gaze sweeping Jeff. "Nice costume."
"So you're talking to me now?"
Shrugging, Jonah said, "We've been talking."
"A grunt here and a nod there isn't exactly good conversation."
"What do you mean? Since you got released from the hospital I've been looking out for you. I've done the cooking and made the bed. I've even done the laundry."
"Big deal. I've done the laundry for the past two-hundred years. And that was before washing machines."
"Okay so I'm not domestic, but I've been trying."
"Instead of washing my jockstraps I'd rather have you start sleeping in bed again, not on the couch."
They fell silent for a moment and Jeff turned his attention toward the stage where Julian and his band performed. He didn't focus on their act, though. He was too aware of his gorgeous partner beside him. Jonah's gaze bore into him and Jeff's heartbeat quickened.
Over the years they'd had their share of arguments and Jeff always looked forward to making up.
On stage Julian sang a soulful love song and couples pressed close on the dance floor.
"Wanna dance?" Jonah asked.
Jeff shrugged, though he itched to hold Jonah close.
"Do you or don't you?" Jonah asked gruffly. The rougher he sounded the more emotional he felt.
Good.
After three days of giving Jeff the cold shoulder just for saving his life, he deserved payback.
"I don't know. My side still hurts. It happened saving my ungrateful partner's life."
"That's all." Jonah stood, his lip curled in anger. He stomped toward the exit, but Jeff leapt up and grasped his arm.
"Wait a minute. It was a joke."
"Not funny." Jonah turned and glared at Jeffery.
"Neither is ignoring me for three days. I was doing my job. That's why we cover the streets in pairs, remember?"
"I know, but—"
"No buts. Would you have left me?"
"You know I wouldn't. But that doesn't change the fact that if anything had happened to you. . ." Jonah's voice trailed off and he closed his eyes for a moment. When he opened them, the emotions gleaming in them struck at Jeff's heart. Cupping the back of his lover's head, Jonah continued, "We've seen too many friends hurt in this war. Vamps have been killed and some captured by those bastards. That fucking new reign. I can't stand the thought of that happening to you, Jeff. I know we're on the security team here, but that doesn't change how I feel about you."
A faint smile played around Jeff's lips and he tugged Jonah toward the dance floor.
Julian's song had just come to an end, but catching sight of Jonah and Jeff, he said, "Okay, everybody, this song is dedicated to some good friends of mine who seem to be back on speaking terms and maybe a little bit more."
Jonah scowled, but Jeff noticed the amusement in his eyes. Chuckling, Jeff slid his arms around Jonah's neck as Julian crooned another love song. Jonah's hands settled on his partner's waist, then he slid his arms around him and held him so close that their hard chests pressed together. Jeff wasn't sure if it was his own heart he felt pounding or Jonah's. His lover's delicious scent filled him and he closed his eyes for a moment. Brushing his cheek against Jonah's, he growled softly.
"You didn't shave."
"I thought the stubble looked good with the pirate costume," Jonah replied.
"It does, but it's going to chafe my balls later."
"Oh so you think my face is going to get that close to them?"
Their gazes locked and they communicated telepathically.
I have a premonition, Jeff said.
A premonition or a wish?
Am I wrong?
"After this song let's go home and find out," Jonah said.
Jeff's heart skipped a beat and he pressed a kiss to Jonah's neck then tickled the spot with his tongue. He longed to taste his lover's blood.
When the song ended, they waved goodbye to Julian and wove their way through the crowd toward the exit.
A short time later, the guys arrived at their suite. No sooner had Jonah closed the door behind them than he pulled Jeff into his arms and covered his mouth in a deep, hungry kiss.
Closing his eyes, Jeff took Jonah's face in his hands and opened his mouth wider to Jonah's searching tongue. They moaned and pressed closer to each other. Jeff's cock swelled beneath the cover of denim and he felt Jonah's thick cock pushing against him.
Jonah unfastened the strap on Jeff's overalls and pushed them down. They pooled around Jeff's ankles and he kicked them off along with his loosely tied work boots. Still kissing Jeff, Jonah caressed his back and grasped his bare ass. Then he slid a hand between his legs and cupped his balls before clasping his swollen shaft.
Jeff's heart pounded and he lightly bit Jonah's lower lip. The sharp tips of his fangs drew blood and he sucked Jonah's full, pouting lip. He had the most adorable mouth. It was one of the first things he'd noticed about Jonah when they'd met.
They'd been wood choppers back in old New England. Eventually they'd started their own lumber company. They'd been together for ten years when they met Esteban, a rich, powerful foreigner. He had purchased materials from them to build a large home in Massachusetts. The three became good friends and eventually Esteban had confided in them about his vampire nature. At their request, he Changed them and several years later when Esteban headed west, they sold their company and followed him. Like many of Esteban's blood children, they joined his quest to keep humans and vampires alike safe from blood drinkers who used their power to harm others. Sometimes, like this week, they were hurt in the process, but it was worth the risk, especially when dealing with the new reign.
Groaning, Jeff thrust his cock into Jonah's stroking fist. He reached down and unzipped Jonah's trousers. His thick cock sprang free and Jeff grasped it and pumped.
"You sure you're up for this?" Jonah said, his voice rough and his eyes gleaming with desire.
"Can't you feel how up I am?"
"I mean is your side still hurting?"
"Not so much that I don't want to fuck."
"You won't have to do much work tonight. I owe you, babe." Jonah cupped the back of Jeff's head and kissed him again, then licked his way down his chest and stomach. Every warm, wet swipe of his tongue made Jeff tingle all over.
Finally Jonah knelt in front of him and rubbed his face against his cock.
"Hey." Jeff cupped Jonah's chin and tilted his face upward. Their gazes locked and Jeff smiled and caressed Jonah's cheek. "How about shaving first?"
"Whatever you want."
Jonah rose and they walked through their spacious suite decorated in warm browns and forest greens. On their way, Jonah kicked off his shoes and tugged off his trousers. He dropped them on the floor, then pulled off his eye patch. In the bathroom, Jeff reached for a razor and a can of shaving foam.
When Jonah tried to take the razor from him, Jeff held it out of his reach.
"You want to do the honors?" Jonah grinned.
Jeff wet his hands in the sink and sprayed foam into his palm. He moistened his lips with the tip of his tongue and Jonah kissed him again. He thrust his tongue against Jeff's and his lover leaned a bit closer, then broke the kiss only to rub the shaving foam over Jonah's jaw.
Jeff shaved his lover more carefully than he'd ever shaved himself. His gaze kept shifting to Jonah's and the heat in those blue eyes turned him on even more. When Jonah curled his fist around Jeff's cock and stroked it slowly, Jeff paused in shaving and breathed, "You better quit that or else I might slip and cut you."
"Sorry." Jonah gave him one last stroke then released him.
His heart pounding and cock aching, Jeff drew a steadying breath before continuing to shave his partner. Finally he completed the job and Jonah splashed water on his face then patted it dry.
Jeff stroked Jonah's face.
"Satisfied?" Jonah asked.
"Not yet, but I think you're going to work on it."
Jonah gave a grunt of laughter and dropped to his knees. Again he rubbed his face against Jeff's cock. This time his cheek felt smooth and warm against the sensitive flesh. Jonah's tongue tickled Jeff's balls, then caressed his cock with slow, lingering strokes.
His entire body tingling, Jeff closed his eyes and braced his hands against the sink while Jonah devoured him. After two centuries, they knew each other's bodies intimately. Jonah's skilled lips and tongue knew just where to lick and suck and exactly how much pressure to use.
In no time at all, Jeff hovered on the edge. His breath came in ragged pants and his fingers bit into the granite countertop.
"Oh hell. Baby, you're killing me," Jeff panted.
Jonah's hand clasped his erection while his tongue teased the crown and snaked around to tickle the ultra-sensitive underside. When his mouth enveloped the tip, it was more than Jeff could take.
He exploded, moaning and thrusting. Jonah was accustomed to the force of his climaxes. His strong hands held Jeff steady until he slumped in utter satisfaction, his butt resting against cool granite and his relaxed fingers threading through Jonah's short blond hair.
Jonah stood and with a grunt hefted Jeff's muscular form over his broad shoulder.
"Let's finish this in bed," Jonah said, carrying his lover to the bedroom.
"Sounds great."
Jonah dropped Jeff on their bed. The green satin sheets felt good against his bare skin. He moved aside to accommodate Jonah who stretched out near him and raised himself on his elbow. Placing a hand on Jeff's chest, Jonah brushed his lips with a tender kiss.
"Love you, man," Jonah said.
"You too, babe." Jeff cupped the back of Jonah's head and drew him closer. His fangs pressed lightly against Jonah's strong neck.
Bite me, Jonah's thoughts cried out.
Jeff didn't hesitate.
Happy Halloween, Jeff.
It always is, as long as I'm with you.
The End
Copyright 2010 Kate Hill