Page 5 of Damian’s Conquest

Damian gave his brother a light slap over the back of his head. “Go and get whatever woman you want. I’m not in the sharing mood tonight.”

Benjamin laughed. “Ahh, looks like my big brother is getting to that possessive age where he wants a woman just for himself.”

“You’re only an hour younger than I.”

“Yeah, but I’m not there yet. I’m still playing the field. Just because Ryder got hitched a year ago, and Scarlet is already pregnant, doesn’t mean the rest of us have to follow like sheep.”

“Are you calling me a sheep?”

“Baa, baa!” Benjamin mimicked the sounds of a sheep.

Damian boxed his brother in the chest. “Watch it, bro! Or what happened to Ryder will rub off on you too.”

“Yeah, not gonna happen for a while for sure,” Benjamin claimed and winked. “See you later, bro.”

“Have fun.”

Damian watched his brother walk to the other side of the club where he could watch everybody who entered, so he could target the hottest women before anybody else could lay claim to them.

Damian shook his head, smiling to himself. As twins, Damian and Benjamin had always been totally in sync with each other, but in the last year their tastes and preferences had started to change, and it looked like they were becoming more individual rather than being one half of a pair. They still lived together, occupying the floor beneath their parents’ penthouse in a building their father, Amaury, owned. It was vampire-proof with UV-impenetrable windows and other security features, and located centrally in the Tenderloin, a somewhat seedy part of downtown. And so far, Damian had no reason to move out and get his own place. He liked living with his twin and being close to his parents, but he knew that one day, he’d find a place of his own, maybe even a house. In the meantime, he enjoyed the closeness he and his brother shared.

3

Naomi opened the door to the store and rushed inside, relieved that it was still open, even though it was already past 9 p.m. This was the last store on her list. The other three she’d tried had only had a few Halloween costumes left, and all had been far too small for her. This was her last chance to find something suitable so she would be admitted to tonight’s party at the Mezzanine.

“We’re closing in a minute,” a young man coming toward her from behind a clothes rack said.

“Please, I just need a costume for tonight. It’s really important.”

He sighed. “I’m on my way to a party. You won’t have any time to browse, so unless you know exactly what you want—”

“Something sexy,” she interrupted.

He ran his gaze over her body before it landed directly on her boobs. “Oh, dear, I’m not sure we have anything in your size left.”

Where had she heard that before? “Please, I need something. There’s this guy. I really want him to notice me tonight,” she lied.

“Well, why didn’t you say so immediately? Come on in the back. I might have something.” He already turned toward the fitting rooms. “The lady who ordered it didn’t pick it up. You might be able to squeeze into it if you hold your breath.”

Naomi followed him, and watched as he went behind a screen, from which he emerged seconds later, a hanger with a costume in his hand. The first thing she saw was red. A long red cape with a hood.

“But that doesn’t look sexy.” The bouncer at the Mezzanine would send her packing.

The guy smirked, then peeled the cape away from what lay beneath: a strapless short dress in red, black, and white, elaborately detailed with faux lace-up on the tight bustier, with molded red cups and lace detailing. The skirt, which didn’t even reach to mid-thigh, sported black lace ruffles and a tiny white apron.

“Little Red Riding Hood,” the salesman said. “The sexy version.” He handed her the hanger. “Try it on.”

The costume looked small, but she didn’t have a choice. Quickly, she stepped into the fitting room and drew the privacy curtain closed. She felt hot already from running all over town to find the right costume. Maneuvering in the tiny fitting room didn’t help, but she managed to undress, and slipped into the costume. She squeezed her boobs into the entirely too small cups, and reached behind her back to zip up, but she only got the zipper halfway up.

“Fuck!” she hissed.

“Do you need help?”

“I can’t get the zipper up.”

“May I help you?”

“Yes, please,” she said and drew the curtain back.