AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His fingers tickle my skin above the low-cut bodice, making me shiver. Jesse smiles at the involuntary reaction, then presses a hot, open-mouthed kiss to my throat before pulling away and wrapping his hand around mine.
“Welcome to The Forbidden Fruit,” Jesse says as we approach the entrance. Pulling me to a stop, he meets my gaze and says, “Stay close to me at all times. If you need to use the bathroom, I’ll make sure it’s clear before you go in. Do not wander off, alone. Do you understand?”
I wrinkle my brow and nod. “I promise to stay close, but…why?”
“This is a vampire club, Eden.”
I gasp as my eyes shoot to the building. It looks like a big warehouse, and there’s no signage or any other indication that it’s filled with vampires.
“Is it safe? I mean, are humans allowed inside?”
“You’ll be perfectly safe with me. And yes, humans are allowed. Encouraged, actually. They get drunk on the alcohol and the atmosphere, and the vampires inside sometimes take advantage of their lowered inhibitions.”
“They might…try to bite me?” I ask, feeling the blood drain from my face.
“Most wouldn’t without your express consent, but there are those who would just take what they want. It’s safer if you stay by my side.” Jesse lifts his hands to my face, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “Do you still want to go in? We can leave right now if you’re uncomfortable.”
My eyes shift from his face to the building and back again. I’m nervous, sure, but my curiosity and excitement far outweigh the nerves. I want to go inside. I want to see what’s it’s like.
And I want to dance with Jesse. Feel the beat vibrate through my body as we move against each other.
His mouth lifts into a small smile. “Are you sure?”
He’s reading my emotions in that strange way he does, and his smile grows wider as if he senses my excitement. Reaching forward, he grabs the door handle and pulls it open. The music is deafening as flashing lights assault my vision, but Jesse’s firm hand on the small of my back centers me.
I take a deep, calming breath and step inside.
The first thing I notice is how crowded it is inside. People are packed onto the dance floor, weaving and gyrating in time with the beat of the bass. The tables surrounding the dance floor are mostly full, as well, and there’s a healthy crowd in front of the bar.
And everyone in this place is fucking beautiful.
A streak of doubt knifes through me as I look around. I can’t help but feel like I don’t belong here. Not because I’m not a vampire––there are plenty of humans, as well. I can tell the difference even in the dark interior. The humans on the dance floor are flushed and sweaty. The ones at the bar and tables are drinking. Everyone else looks unaffected by their exertions, pristine and perfect like living marble statues.
But the humans here are on a whole different level. Like there was a bouncer at the door only letting in the most ethereal specimens of our breed. And if such a bouncer had been present, he never would’ve let the likes of me in.
“You outshine them all,” Jesse says into my ear as his hand glides up my back to curl around the back of my neck.
His fingers massage lightly, easing the tension he must’ve felt radiating from me. I relax a bit, and he smiles. Leaning in, he presses his lips to my neck, kissing it lightly. My eyes flutter closed as my pulse begins to race, the blood heating in my veins.
“Would you like to dance?”
My eyes pop open, and I nod, earning another smile from Jesse. Taking my hand, he leads me out onto the dance floor. I can feel eyes on me, and I swear to God a couple of people lean in to sniff me as we pass. Jesse’s low growl warns them off, and they quickly look anywhere but at us.
I start to sway to the beat, then freeze when my eyes land on a couple a few feet away. The man stands still, his face turned upward with an expression of pure bliss. A petite woman is wrapped around him, her legs locked around his waist. His hands are on her ass as she rolls her hips seductively. They’re basically dry-humping, but that’s not what has my attention.
Her mouth is locked on his neck, her cheeks hollowed out as she sucks and swallows. She’s drinking his blood right out in the open. In front of all these people.
“Hey,” Jesse says, pulling my attention away from the couple. “Just focus on me, okay?”
I nod and start to move again. Jesse reaches out and grabs my hips, yanking me closer. The rest of the club, my nerves, and everything else on the planet fades away as our bodies collide. The music changes, morphing into a slow, sexy beat. Jesse spins me around and presses his chest against my back. His body curls around mine, and his hands flatten against my stomach, holding me close.
My head falls back against his shoulder as I get lost in the moment. Jesse’s hands slide up my ribcage, stopping just below my breasts. A wave of lust surges through me, making me wet and needy as I fight the urge to grab his wrists and put his hands where I want them.
The feeling is so sudden and so strong, it startles me back to reality and my rhythmic movements falter. Jesse’s grip tightens on me, and as if he’s read my mind, yet again, he lowers his mouth to my ear.
“I’m not doing it, Eden. I promise, this is all you.”
I nod shakily, accepting his words as truth. He’s not using his powers. This ache inside me is all-natural, a product of the moment and Jesse’s close proximity. And somehow, knowing he’s not manipulating my body makes me even hotter.
