CHAPTER TWO

"Where in the hell did he go?"

Aggravated, Kain returned and searched the second floor.

He could have sworn the dark-headed guy had followed him down. He'd spent the last thirty minutes hunting through the crowd on the dance floor. Now his mark's table was empty too.

Finally he joined Hugh at their table. "Damn it, I know I saw him go down."

"Problem?"

Hugh asked.

"I saw this guy earlier, and now I can't find him."

Kain lifted his drink and drained it. "I've looked everywhere, and he's just gone."

"Hmm. He made that much of an impression?"

"You bet your ass he did."

Kain slowly shredded a napkin as he watched Allen and Jordan on the dance floor work the guy they'd targeted. Two sets of hands teased their mark, sending him into a fevered pitch.

It looked as if they were getting lucky tonight, the bastards. Kain clenched his fist. Where had his guy gone? Kain had decided who he wanted for the night, and now the guy had ghosted on him.

Pissed, and now determined to fuck anyone he found, he scanned the crowd. His gaze landed on another man with dark, shoulder length hair. His hair wasn't black, and not nearly as long as the other guy's, but this one would do in a pinch.

"Don't know what your deal is, there's plenty more to choose from."

Hugh waved his hand at the wiggling mass on the dance floor. "Besides, you might run across him another night."

"Yeah."

Kain stood up. "Time to move on. One thing's for certain, I'm not going home alone tonight. See you later."

"Happy hunting."

Kain made his way to the dance floor and the guy he had picked out as a replacement. There was no way he could explain to his friends why that other guy was so—Kain frowned. The first word that came to mind was important, and that bothered him.

Why did the dark-headed guy dominate his every thought? Why couldn't he forget him and move on? He always had before. No one he slept with kept his interest. But now, for once in his life, he felt something inside the aching void that filled his chest.

He had to have that dark haired stranger. Perhaps he'd be someone he could still want again the next morning. Shaking his head, he moved in on the second guy. Then again, maybe it was nothing more than being denied something he wanted, and he had wanted him.

"Yeah, that's it."

Kain moved behind the guy with the brown hair. The music faded as the song ended and the guy turned to him.

"What's it?"

he asked as another song pounded to life.

"Uh, that's it, move that ass for me."

Kain ran his hands over the writhing form in front of him. "What's your name, sexy?"

"Jim."

The guy planted his ass against Kain's groin. "Wanna dance?"

Not answering, Kain swayed to the beat, letting his body brush against Jim's swaying form. That was answer enough. Settling his hands on the lean hips in front of him, Kain pulled Jim closer, letting him feel the raging need that strained against his zipper.

The thumping bass swept through Kain's body, edging his already tense mood toward dangerous. He brushed Jim's hair back, angled his body closer, and nuzzled the moist skin of Jim's neck. The body under his hands trembled and a small, cold smile crossed his lips. This guy was as good as his.

Pleased with the reaction, he slid one hand under Jim's loose, flimsy shirt and tweaked a nipple to hardness while his other slipped down and lightly caressed the bulge he found.

"Mmm, like that, don't you?"

Kain whispered as he squeezed. "Tell me."

"Oh-oh, yes!"

This guy was primed and ready for action. Kain let another song pass, his hands taking greater liberties. Methodically, he worked his second choice. Each move he made was coldly calculated to obtain the maximum benefit: his target desperate.

From the way Jim panted, he was sure he could have this guy right here in the club, plastered against a wall. He'd done it before when Hugh bet he couldn't perform under such pressure. While a wall banger was tempting, it wasn't what he wanted. For tonight he preferred a bed.

Kain brushed his lips across the other man's ear. "Want to come home with me and finish this dance there?"

"Absolutely."

Jim swayed on his feet. "Take me home."

"Good. Got your car here?"

Kain squeezed the bulge straining madly against the buttons on Jim's jeans, then nipped Jim's neck.

"No, I came with friends."

Jim moaned from the pressure on his erection. "Dammit."

"No problem. You can ride with me."

"I, ah, I'm not sure—I mean, I've seen you here, but I don't know you."

Jim, now that the decision to leave was staring him in the face, waffled. "Well, that's to say I don't know you personally. Of course I know who you are."

Kain's first inclination was to shake the guy. He had cold feet now? After all the time and effort he'd just put in? Christ, was there something in the damn air? "Have you seen guys who leave with me show back up here?"

"Well, of course."

"There you go. I'm harmless."

Kain slipped his hand inside Jim's tight jeans and fondled the erection clad in damp boxers. This one was not getting away. Kain needed him too badly. "Come on. I'll even wait while you tell your friends. How's that?"

"Okay."

Jim's eyes rolled at Kain's touch. "Yes, I'll tell them, then we can leave. I'll be right back."

"I'll be by the entrance. Hurry, sexy."

* * *

Asmodeus stood in the shadows of the club watching the one he'd picked, amused at the young mortal's impatience. "So full of fire, and arrogance. Something I'd usually love to crush."

But the need, that glowing kernel buried at the center of Kain's dark core, drew Asmodeus like a moth to a flame. This frail human was different, and he didn't want to crush him.

Oh no, what he wanted with the one called Ice was something different. He tracked Kain's movements around the dance floor, then back to the upper levels. Impatience turned to disgruntlement as Kain gave up his search and picked another to entertain for the night.

Enveloped in the darkness Asmodeus chanted softly; the language used was one long forgotten by humans of this world. Slowly his form disappeared from sight as Kain returned to the dance floor and stalked Kain. A slight smile crossed Asmodeus's lips.

Soon the hunter would be the hunted. Questioning what you felt when you looked at me, are you? You're not used to being denied what you want, that's obvious. Good.

He watched Kain's calculated seduction of the other human called Jim. Kain, the arrogant little human, was good. He'd give him that. Cool and confident. Qualities that are such fun to destroy. Only this time I plan to simply twist and bend them a bit, not destroy them.

Once Kain secured his lay for the night, Asmodeus turned and made his way to the entrance of the club, unable to be seen by human eyes. As he drifted outside, he noticed Allen and Jordan leaving with the redhead and snorted silently. Think you boys may have bitten off more than you can chew with that one.

The redhead's name was Chaus, and he was one of the deadliest vampires ever created. To say he was a Dom was like saying the sun was hot. Chaus was the very meaning of dominant.

And these two humans thought they were going to tag team one of Chaus's nature? Not likely. What was likely was that the brothers would be dead come morning—if they were lucky. If they weren't? Well, Chaus would have two new pets.

A slight bob of Chaus's head was the only acknowledgment of Asmodeus's presence.

He waited outside for Kain and the other man to leave, the night darkening around him. Humans shifted from foot to foot, uneasy, but not knowing why. The time of long ago when Man feared the creatures that roamed the Earth had long since passed.

Today human beliefs were much more rigid. They tended to discount anything they couldn't see, hear, or touch. Good and evil no longer meant God and the Devil to the men that ruled the Earth today.

And how simple did that make his job? Man no longer believed in demons and such, which made things so much more fun for him.

Brought out of his musing, he watched Kain. He'd decided not to feed on the human tonight, but that certainly didn't mean he couldn't have a little fun.

As he drifted on the wind, following Kain, he noticed Hugh leaving the club too. His silent laugh echoed in his head. This group really has a knack for picking the most lethal nonhumans.

Hugh had a small blond in tow, a twink named Tobis. Only this being was a werewolf, and not just any werewolf. Oh no, this was one of the most dangerous Alphas around.

While in human form the blond radiated youth, sweetness, and innocence. His natural form was anything but. And his sexual appetites? He had a thing for leather… on his subs.

Tobis's eyes lingered where Asmodeus stood hidden, a small smile playing on his lips. He acknowledged Asmodeus with a dip of his head.

From the looks of it, Kain might be the only one to survive the night—and his days were limited.

* * *

Kain focused on Jim as he cut through the crowd, hunting for his friends. Why was this taking so long? Kain checked his watch, foot tapping impatiently. What seemed like hours passed before Jim returned.

Annoyed, Kain wasted no time hurrying him out of the club only to meet with another delay—his Hummer being brought around by the valet. What else could possibly hinder their leaving?

Abruptly Kain shivered and his shoulders hunched. The feeling of being watched had the hair standing up on the back of his neck. When had the night gone so black and the shadows become so sinister?

A slight breeze ruffled his hair, and he could've sworn something brushed across his cheek. The ghostly touch unnerving him, and he jerked back, frantically swiping at his face.

Jim glanced at him. "Something wrong?"

Before he could answer another light touch caressed his ass, and Kain jerked in the other direction, breathing hard. No one had touched his ass, no one. Someone was playing games. That had to be it. Problem was, no one was standing near him.

"Uh, a June bug. A June bug buzzed me. Hate those damn things."

What the hell was wrong with him? This was the second time tonight he'd let his imagination run wild. "I'm fine."

"If you say so. You're awfully pale."

The valet brought his ride around, and Kain was never more grateful to see his Hummer. He had one goal, and that was to get out of there.

"I'm fine, really."

Kain unlocked the doors and glanced at Jim through the interior of his ride. Why the hell was he just standing there? "The door's unlocked."

He was unsettled enough that if Jim didn't hurry up and get in, he'd leave the guy standing on the club. If that meant spending the night alone, so be it, but he was leaving—now.

Once they were inside, he turned the music up. The last thing he wanted to deal with was small talk. Kain, nerves still fluttering, drove faster than he should have, his hands clutching the steering wheel.

The streetlights flickered and dimmed as his Hummer barreled down the interstate. What was going on now? He'd seen the streetlights dim before, that was nothing unusual, but not like this.

Every light was muted as his vehicle neared, then returned to normal once he moved past. Shadows from the subdued light cast odd reflections across the road.

"Shit,"

Kain muttered under his breath as yet another streetlight dimmed as they approached.

"What?"

Jim glanced at Kain. "Could you turn the music down?"

"Sure."

Kain muted the CD. If he continued to act like this, his date for the night would be calling a cab as soon as he parked. "Sorry about that."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine."

Kain reached over and patted Jim's hand. "It's been a long week, but that's no excuse for me acting strange."

"You were beginning to freak me out."

"I didn't mean to, really."

How did Jim not see the funny goings on with the lights back there? Was he imagining things?

"That's okay. Guess I'm a little nervous. I don't make a habit of doing stuff like this."

Jim threaded his fingers through Kain's. "How much farther?"

Kain's dick plumped at the thought Jim was a novice. "We're almost there."

They arrived at his penthouse without any more weird light displays. His nerves finally leveled out, and his thoughts turned to more erotic pleasures.

Kain hurried Jim through the lobby and into the elevator. As the doors closed, Kain's breathing increased. He couldn't wait; need, want, and desire tangled in his head. He stalked across the small space and backed Jim into a corner.

"Wait. What are you—"

"Shhh."

He fisted his hand in Jim's shirt and pushed him flush against the elevator's wall.

Jim's hands fluttered helplessly around them, then settled against Kain's hips. Kain shuddered slightly, not from desire, but from a sudden chill that invaded the elevator. Was the damn elevator cooling system on the fritz?

Kain's mouth moved over Jim's, dragging a breathless whimper from the man pinned against the wall. Kain's mind exploded from Jim's shy, hesitant kiss. He hadn't expected such gentleness.

Maybe this guy really was as naive as he appeared. Needing more, he pushed his leg between Jim's, opening him up. He wanted Jim to feel the raging hard-on brushing against him.

His tongue battled with Jim's shyer muscle until finally Kain won, and Jim's tongue retreated. Satisfied he'd established who was in control, he explored Jim's mouth.

When Jim tossed his head to the side and willingly bared his throat, Kain smirked. He nibbled a path down Jim's neck and sucked hard on the tender skin near Jim's collarbone.

A restless leg moved up and down his thigh and Jim moaned. One of Kain's hands drifted down and palmed Jim's ass, kneading the firm flesh. He did love a nice, firm ass. The elevator dinged, signaling Kain's floor had been reached. With a small bounce the elevator stopped, breaking the spell.

Jim gasped as Kain pinched his ass. "Think we're here."

Kain leaned back to study the man who stood panting before him. Jim's face was flushed, and a nice bulge showed. Oh yes, he was going to have fun with this one tonight. He herded Jim out and just as the doors closed, he swore he felt a gust of air pass by him.

Kain shivered as he slid his arm around Jim and pulled him toward his penthouse. Throwing the door open, Kain spun Jim around and trapped him against the nearest wall. As the door slammed shut, Kain's mouth crashed down over Jim's, resuming where he'd left off until Jim was gasping for air.

"Bedroom. Now."

Kain pulled a gasping Jim behind him.

Once in the bedroom, he turned the desk light on and grabbed Jim. Pulling Jim's head down to him, he kissed him hard again, all teeth and aggression. He broke the kiss and dragged Jim to his bed, pushing him down.

Kain followed him, his body covering the man under him. He wedged himself between Jim's legs, frantically rocking against him as he grasped the hands fluttering around him. He pinned them to the bed as he edged Jim while devouring his mouth.

Struggling for breath, Jim tore his mouth away. "Oh man that's good, don't stop, please."

Kain rubbed against Jim harder. Licking his bruised lips, he freed Jim's hands, grasped the front of Jim's shirt, and tugged. "Too many clothes. Way too many clothes, sexy. Time for them to come off."

The small lamp sitting on the desk in his bedroom flickered briefly, and Kain paused in his seduction. That had never happened before. Then the heat in the penthouse kicked on and Kain rolled his eyes. He was acting like a damn idiot.

Kain's fingers fumbled with Jim's buttons, trying to undo his shirt. An eon passed, but he finally managed to unbutton it. Pulling Jim up by the collar, he pulled the shirt off, then ran his hands all over Jim's chest.

It was well defined, but hairy—more hairy than he'd thought. Dammit, nothing seemed to be going how he wanted tonight. He really liked his bottoms to be smooth. He sincerely hoped he wasn't hairy all over. Kain pinched Jim's nipples, bringing the nubs to attention.

"Please,"

Jim grunted from the forceful treatment. "Undress too. I want to touch you, see you."

Kain smiled. He was insanely proud of his body, and he'd worked hard for his firm abs and flat stomach. Sitting up, he removed his shirt as Jim lay quietly under him, his eyes traveling over the skin Kain slowly exposed.

"You like?"

"Oh yes. You're so built."

Jim sighed. "Wish I was."

"You look fine to me."

Actually, Jim had a bit of a stomach. Ugh.

"Can I…?"

Jim's eyes were on Kain's pierced nipples.

"What?"

Kain knew what he wanted. This, and other secrets he sported, sent the men he slept with over the moon.

"I've never been with someone with pierced. Damn, are those silver hoops?"

"Platinum, with a bezel diamond in each hoop."

Really? Silver? Please. Kain leaned back against the pillows on the bed, a sexy god waiting to be serviced.

He jumped slightly as he thought he heard a chuckle, and eyed Jim. Had that come from Jim? He didn't seem the type, and besides, Jim was nearly drooling at the sight of his pierced nipples.

"Well then, why don't you do some exploring? Just be careful if you've never done this before."

Jim bent forward and tentatively sucked a nipple in his mouth, tugging on the hoop with his teeth. His other hand pinched the neglected nub, coaxing it to stand proudly. Back and forth Jim went, teasing both nipples, until Kain's hands clutched the blood-red silken bedspread.

"Yeah, that's it, baby. Suck 'em."

Nothing he liked better than having his lover do all the work until it was time to fuck.

His breathing picked up as Jim's mouth lavished attention on his nipples. He shivered as a cool breeze caressed his body. After a few minutes, he tapped Jim on the head.

"Move on down for me. Got something else for you to suck on."

Kain lounged against the pillows as Jim eased down until he was seated between his legs. Amused, Kain noticed the trembling fingers that struggled to unsnap the buttons on his jeans.

The slight buzz he had going began to wane as Jim took his time smoothing the material apart so he could see Kain's straining erection. He wrapped a hand behind Jim's head, a hint to get on with it.

Jim bent forward and nuzzled his length, mouthing at his trapped cock. Suddenly his head snapped up. "Shit, you're pierced down here too!"

"Yes. And think how that's going to feel sliding in and out of your hole later."

"Oh."

Jim pulled Kain's briefs back, excited to see what was hidden from view. "I can't wait. No one I've been with has had a Prince Albert before."

Kain raised an eyebrow. "Then you're in for a treat."