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His claws worked the buttons easily enough, shaking the cuffs out as he finished. The inside of the vardo smelled like he did. Wood smoke mixed with that strange but intoxicating spice. He moved to the small table and pulled a silver incense holder from the drawer, setting a new stick of incense and lighting it. A thick stream of smoke curling snake-like towards the ceiling. He watched the smoke rise for a moment before he left the room briefly, disappearing into the kitchen where the sound of cabinets opening could be heard and the soft clink of glasses shortly after. Rares returned with a small tray bearing a medium sized cast iron tea pot and two small amber teacups. He set the tray on the table next to the hookah to steep and laughed, a low almost gravelly sound, as she reminded him that she had a name. Tired of being called 'girl' he supposed.

Turning to face her, he approached again, stepping into her bubble like it was the most natural and acceptable behavior. His claws raised, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Obviously, as much as he seemed to be a solitary creature, and as much as he kept away from others, he wasn't shy. "Right, Vadoma." His voice was calm but confidant, the timber pleasant. "That's up to you." He continued, his eyes somehow more intense. "I have one bed and a floor. Your choice." Whatever vulnerability she'd brought out in him was now crushed beneath the weight of something far from vulnerable. He wrestled with his own desire as he looked down at her, soaking up every detail with an intense kind of hunger. The memory of her body against his made it harder to find his common sense but he managed.

Rares smirked at her, whatever darkness he had in him he never forced a woman to do anything she didn't want. He was many things, but he wasn't like that. Even if his behaviors sometimes veered off into questionable. It was doubtful he'd pass any kind of test aimed at understanding and abiding by polite societal norms. Turning back to the tea he strode toward it, lifting the heavy teapot with his right hand and pressing two sharp claws from his left down on the lid as he poured. The liquid was like honey in color, maybe a little redder, but it smelled soft, almost sweet or at least not bitter. The steam rose from the cups and he watched it thoughtfully, his fingers lifting to undo a couple buttons near his shirt collar, flaring the top of the shirt out a little and giving himself a slightly more casual air.

Bed it was. He let his hand fall from his collar to one of the teacups, which he carefully lifted off the tray with his claws and presented to her in an off-hand manner. "Frunza de miere.." He replied, his gaze still on the teacup in front of him. He'd always enjoyed tea in general. It was comforting to spend the evening with a hot cup of tea, a hookah, and either a book or... prepping for a job. Which he certainly wasn't doing tonight. Not in front of her.

He lifted his own cup to his lips once she'd taken hers, a quiet stream of air blown across the top to cool it slightly before he took that first sip. Pressing it to his lips he let the flavor serenade his tongue. It was smooth, with hints of honey, vanilla, saffron, and various other comforting spices that blended into the bouquet and mellowed. It wasn't sweet but he never felt it needed to be as there wasn't a trace of bitterness to be found. Rares moved to sit on the bed, his frame sinking into the thick fur of the pelt spread across the mattress, eyes lifting to observe her like he wasn't exactly sure what to do. He knew what he wanted, he still wasn't against making a move, he just didn't want to ******** it up royally. She didn't act like the women who normally came here.

There was something in Vadoma that called to something in him. Whatever light resided within her, even as a Vampire, his darkness hungered for. In what way besides carnally he couldn't say. There was more to the feeling than lust but he had no idea what it was or what it meant. So he focused on what he understood. The smirk on her face earlier had caused a stirring in him, he liked how it looked. Somehow it suited her. There was also such an innocence to her and it confused him, probably why he'd gone in a moment ago, to lead her into bed, and then released the moment.

He knew she was feeling something but her reactions were so controlled, concealed. Like she was just as lost. Again, it was a far cry from the women that sought him out. They knew what they wanted and weren't generally shy about it. But they never controlled how the evening went, if they wanted him it was on his terms. If he decided to let them in at all. They never changed their mind. "You sure your brother isn't going to come breaking down my door tomorrow night wondering if you've been kidnapped? I'd hate to have him find you in my bed and then cause a scene. I don't need more trouble on my doorstep." That smirk again, he didn't appear afraid, more like the thought was humorous in general.

Rares kept his gaze steadily locked on Vadoma, watching as she sipped the tea, a satisfied look shifting in his eyes. She seemed to enjoy it. At least she had good tatse. He continued to sip his own as he contemplated the female in his vardo. What was it about her that had him so twisted up inside? The Vampires gaze slid to the table, to the cards, what he'd drawn earlier still nagging at him. Any other kat who had been as persistent in pushing through his boundaries he wouldn't have hesitated, he would have hurt them. He sure as hell wouldn't have let them in his home for the night.

Her movement caught his attention and his eyes returned to Vadoma, watching the way she moved as she walked. Every curve, the way her clothing hugged her body so flatteringly, how her long hair fell down her back, he wanted to bury his claws in it. As she sat his expression shifted to something calm, relaxed, but still closed off. Yet the calm was broken by the tone in her voice as she spoke of her brother, causing his brows to furrow slightly. Why did she sound so... he didn't know. But it wasn't spoken with the same energy she seemed to put into her words otherwise. Why did he notice? Why did it bother him? It had nothing to do with him and yet...

Her eyes lifted then, the color shifting but still so vibrant. That heat flared, saturating the air surrounding them. The hunger was so strong. Like the call for blood. His intense gaze locked onto her own, that dark honeyed amber lit by some fierce inner flame. Like smoldering embers. He set the cup on the table and leaned over in one smooth, quick motion. His gold jewelry swaying gently with the motion, right arm bracing himself on the bed as he reached the fingers of his left hand out.

He slid them along the curve of her jaw, along the bottom of her cheek and beneath her jawline along her neck. His thumb coming up to brush lightly along the arch of her cheekbone. He was willing to risk the rejection, he couldn't keep smothering his desire anymore. Rares leaned in close, his lips inches from her ear as he spoke. "And what about you? Do you have other stuff going on?"

She wasn't pulling away, which only encouraged him to keep advancing. That dark, gravelly laugh rolling up from his chest as she answered him. It was almost endearing, how cute she was. Rares pulled back slightly to look into her eyes again, there was such a high vibration between the two of them. Her energy was practically buzzing, he could feel it, but he couldn't determine if it was nerves or arousal or what. It was like she didn't understand how any of this worked. Wait... did she not understand how any of this worked? He paused for a moment, his eyes searching hers. There was no way.

"Are you tired?" He asked suddenly, his claws gently sliding along the underside of her jaw as he pulled his hand away from her face. Now he was even more conflicted. If his suspicion was correct he wasn't going to push her, there was something about it that made him anxious. He plucked the cup from where she'd set it, retrieved his own and finished the tea off, before he set both on the tray and stood to pick the tray up off the table.

Rares vanished into the kitchen for a moment to put everything away and wash the tea set, leaving it out to dry. The vampire reappeared and strode from the kitchen back to the bed. He settled down again, leaning back into the fur atop the matress. His weight placed back on his elbows, legs spreading slightly in a more comfortable position, but he kept his eyes on her. He felt an almost iron hot frustration in his gut. Why couldn't he just pull the trigger? The thought that she was... inexperienced had spooked him. But why? He didn't want to take advantage. That's why. He knew that was why. ******** class="quote">

Rares was still watching her when he saw her move suddenly, but he was brooding over his own inner conflict. She hadn't pulled away, maybe he was overthinking it. He was getting pissed at himself that this was even happening. He was never conflicted like this. Ever. Not before Vadoma anyway. But then the world went dark and there was a pillow over his face. It took the male seconds to process what was happening and his claws came up, gripping the pillow and tearing it away. The soft object flew back into the wall where it gave a hollow thump and slid down onto the bed. His body rising up into hers, his face inches from her own. "What the hell was that for?" He growled, his jaw clenched. There was a kind of fire in his eyes, a rage, but the second his eyes found hers it smoldered and eased. His anger ******** it. Rares slid his right arm around her waist, pulling her in close. The fingers of his free hand grazed her soft flesh as he wrapped his hand around the back of her neck. His lips found hers and that hunger exploded into a fire that burned heavy inside him as he kissed her, pulling her onto his lap with a startling amount of strength, enough to make the transition seamless. It was... strong. Whatever this was. He thought it was lust but he'd never felt lust so raw, it never ached this deeply before. He breathed in the scent of her, finding it soothing. His tongue slid across her lips, gently inviting her to part them, as he continued to kiss her. He'd never wanted anyone so badly in his life.

Rares felt her lips part, her tongue slipping to meet his as they kissed. His kiss was full of fire, passion and aggression, but tempered to keep it from being too much. A low growl rolled deep from his throat and he bit her lower lip, the feeling of her fingers through his hair sending a chill down his body. As he felt her hands cupping his face he released her lip and allowed the kiss to continue.

The hand around her neck slid up to the back of her head, his fingers weaving through her soft, thick locks. He felt the heat growing in his lower belly, consumed by his hunger for her. Something told him to slow down though, deep in his gut, if she really wasn't experienced he had to be careful. He couldn't treat her the way he treated the others. He wasn't the gentle type but he didn't want to hurt her, at least not if this was her first experience with intimacy. The idea made his temper rise.

The male broke the kiss, the fire in his eyes almost a glow now, heavy with desire. He slid his lips to just beneath her jawline and kissed her flesh, sliding down to kiss along the beautiful curve of her neck until he got to the crook between neck and shoulder. That's when his fingers tangled themselves in the hair at the base of her skull and gave a very light, steady pull as he gently bit into the crook of her neck.

He closed his eyes, his tail sliding across the fur of the blanket beneath them as he brought his legs up onto the bed to brace against her back, holding her firmly, keeping her close. The hand around her waist slid upwards along her spine, resting between her shoulder blades. Every nerve in his body was on fire, the blood of his last victim coursing wildly through his veins.

His grip tightened as he heard the moan escape her lips, his eyes sliding open, almost smoldering. The feeling as she ran her fingers through his hair caused him to release a soft sigh, it had been a while since he'd been touched like this. Since he allowed someone to touch him at all. He had almost forgotten what it was like. Though he never remembered it ever feeling like this. Not with anyone.

He sunk his sharp teeth in a little further, a little more intensely, before he released her. His mouth finding hers again, releasing his grip on her hair. In normal terms, yeah, this was fast. But Rares didn't live his unlife according to what other people believed was right or wrong. He'd never had the luxury of receiving praise or encouragement or of being an object of pride or love. So he moved at his own pace. And right now this was the pace. Unless she decided she wasn't ready.

His now free hand slid around her backside and he carefully got to his knees, lifting her up and turning them both. He laid her back into the black satin, resting her head on the pillows. His lips fell to the soft flesh of her collar bone and he followed it all the way down to the middle of her chest, then across the top of her breast towards her shoulder, his left hand sliding down the side of her body. She was so soft. He wanted to kiss every inch of her. Worship every curve of her body. He was losing himself.

He paused, lifting his head to look deeply into her eyes. "Asta vrei tu?" He was giving her the choice, he wanted to, no, he had to know if it was. He wanted to hear her say it. As much as he wanted her he had to know that she was ready to keep going. Otherwise he would stop. He'd hate it. But he'd hate it more if she felt pressured or uncomfortable.

Rares couldn't stop looking at her, his eyes drinking in every detail. Her long beautiful hair he found especially entrancing, he reached for it, lifting a section and letting it slide through his fingers as he waited for her response. He could be patient. It was like she had woven a spell over him, catapulting him out of his need to push her away, to keep her at arms length. He wasn't sure if he really trusted her yet but there was something. That something he needed to sit with. It was beyond physical.

She stirred parts inside of him no one had stirred before. And she did it in the span of only a few hours. It was almost unbelievable. He had to be careful. He was still too afraid to get his hopes up, too afraid to admit he hoped she was telling the truth. That she really wanted to know him. He felt, deep down, that he had only a short window to enjoy her company, wedged between this moment and the moment she found out how broken and corrupted he really was, then she would leave. She'd realize there wasn't anything worth knowing.

The word left her lips so breathily he almost didn't catch it. His eyes taking in her face, those long lashes framing that half-lidded gaze. But there was a warm glow in her eyes as the crimson hue burned into the low light of the Vardo. He felt his stomach give another twist, he could feel her passion now. Like a door had opened to him in some way, and he smiled. It was still a little smug but probably the most genuine smile he'd given her yet.

Rares leaned down and kissed her as the sun came up. The blinds that sheltered the windows began to lower, sealing them in the low, flickering firelight of several candles that burned warmly inside the Vardo. The golden glow of the brighter lanters fading as the blinds shut. Even if she did leave, once she realized what he was, even if she never came back, he wanted at least this moment. Just one. With her.