6. Claude

SIX

CLAUDE

C laude watched the stranger flee from the club. Now that the threat was out of sight, his main focus returned to Leigh. He quickly approached her as she finished dressing and did a quick sweep of her features, trying to notice any injuries or ailments. Physically, from his perspective she looked fine.

He didn't doubt she could stand on her own, but he could tell mentally that she was shaken up. She'd voiced her reservations about assisting at the club earlier. Then she was attacked by no other than a vampire, the relationship she was hired to nurture.

He sensed her anger and frustration at being tricked and not having the upper hand. It was a deep feeling as well, one that took Claude off guard. It was as if he could hear her actual thoughts inside his head, but it came out as a jumble of clouded emotions and feelings.

He brushed the sensation aside, thinking they were both simply shaken. Her cheeks were bright red and eyes watery from the exertion, and it struck him how lovely she looked in her frazzled state.

Claude considered other states she may find herself in, looking equally as deliciously disheveled.

Claude noticed her clenching and unclenching her fist, a silent indication of the turmoil brewing within her. His eyes roved to her lips. They were firmly set in a straight line. He reached out, cupped her face, and guided her gaze to meet his. His thumb gently brushed over the scar that marred her left eyebrow, a bold testament to all the battles she had fought.

And won.

She pulled away abruptly, breaking their intimate connection. He let his hand drop to his side but kept his gaze locked onto hers. Her eyes blazed with an intensity that made him shudder, not with fear but with excitement. He knew Leigh was far from weak. She was a warrior with an iron spirit and resolve that could rival the best in his clan.

"I want answers," she demanded fiercely, her voice echoing in the quiet club. Her anger didn't intimidate him, neither did it deter him from wanting to unravel the mysteries hidden behind her eyes.

"And you'll have them," he responded calmly but assertively, "But not now. I'll report this incident back to Aria."

Her brows furrowed with confusion and wariness. "She said her name was Kim, and if her mate were still alive, she would be the one responsible for rebuilding and rebranding this club."

He brought himself closer to her. So close he felt the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed manically. Whether with fear or desire, he hadn't quite figured out yet.

"I assure you I know nothing of a Kim unless she gave you a fake name."

She opened her mouth, but seemingly knew better than to argue. He covered her mouth with his hand. He saw the pulse in her neck quicken as her eyes surveyed his body. He could no longer withhold the attraction he held for her. He just had to act on it or he would lose his mind.

"I know far better things you can do with an open mouth, dear," he said as the thought of her down on her knees with his dick in her mouth sent the blood rushing south.

His hand moved further down and grabbed her throat. "This can go two ways," he said. "We can leave right now, go to Aria, and handle this, or…" He tightened his fingers around her neck. "Or you can let me fuck you in this unfinished club and give us both what we need right now."

He watched the rage waver in her eyes, a glimmer of uncertainty and hidden desire flickering beneath her intense gaze. She swallowed hard, the movement pushing against his hand still holding her throat. His heart pounded in his chest, matching the rhythm of her rapid pulse, both attesting to the raw tension and anticipation swirling between them.

He scoffed at the silence that ensued, a low chuckle that reverberated in the quietness of the club. "Tick tock, Leigh," he teased, eyes gleaming with thinly veiled ardor.

With a swift motion, she grabbed his wrist, wrenching it away from her throat.

"You're an arrogant bastard," she snapped at him.

His lips curled into a smirk at her words. "And you're a feisty one," he replied, running his fingers through his hair. "Makes me want you even more. So. Choose, Leigh," he coaxed. His voice dropped to a dangerous purr. His fingers teased the hem of her shirt, daring to creep underneath and meet the heated flush of her skin.

Images swirled before his eyes – her straddling him in the half-finished club, their bodies entwined in a reckless dance of passion, pressing kisses down her, her submitting entirely to the heat that had been brewing between them since their first encounter.

He heard her breath hitch, and he knew she wanted it– no, needed it – right there and then. Seeming to abandon all reason, all sense of duty or decorum, she grabbed his face.

There was an undeniable sense of triumph in his smile as he nodded approvingly. His fingers slid down her neck and traced a blazing trail over her collarbone and chest before he tugged her closer until their bodies were flush against each other's.

He lowered his head to kiss her neck. Any other wolf would have had their reservations about a vampire near their neck, but she was lost in her own desires, needing her release. She tilted her head back, granting him better access. His actions elicited moans and whimpers from Leigh that further fueled his need to be buried inside her.

Her tongue darted out to wet her lips, a clear sign of nervous anticipation.

He knew then that she had decided. The lights of the deserted club danced in her eyes as she met his gaze with a thrilling blend of defiance and desire. "I choose," she rasped, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Without breaking eye contact, her hand slowly moved to the waistband of his denim jeans, her fingers trembling slightly as she fiddled with the button. A grin spread across his lips as he watched her slender wrist and fingers work their way to the zipper. Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment as she took in a deep breath, exhaling it slowly, before putting her hand into his pants.

His heart pounded against his ribcage like a wild beast trying to break free as he felt her touch encase him. His breath hitched in surprise and pleasure, the coolness of her fingers setting his boiling blood ablaze.

Their bodies were awash with adrenaline, their hearts beating so hard, he could hear her pulse in his ears. They filled the silence of the club with life. They were wrapped around each other in an intimate embrace, oblivious to their surroundings. The unfinished walls around them served only as distant witnesses to their escalating passion.

Each heavy breath he took mirrored hers and a sudden urge seized him, an urge to claim every inch of this woman.

"You're playing with fire," he warned, leaning in to whisper into her ear. His hot breath made her shudder. "Are you ready to get burned?" he taunted.

Leigh's lips parted slightly. He felt her rapid breath on his neck.

"If it's all right with you, dear, I'm going to take matters into my own hands now. I know how much you hate giving up control. But I promise, it'll be worth it," he taunted.

She stared into his eyes and grinned. "First off, fuck you," she said. "Second off, fuck me, now."

What little was left of his restraint snapped, and he picked her up and carried her to the bar top where he set her down. She leaned back, resting on her arms.

"You know, I do enjoy top-shelf liquor at the bar. But I think I'll enjoy this top-shelf pussy much more," he cooed.

He started to unbutton her jeans and wiggled them down her thick thighs. She kicked her shoes off, then her jeans. Laid out before him wearing a pair of red lace panties damp from her arousal, she looked like a damn vision.

The sight that greeted him had his own arousal throbbing painfully against his jeans. Her body was flushed with anticipation, her eyes half-lidded as she watched him with unadulterated desire.

He allowed his hands to drift down her body, fingers tracing the edges of the lacy panties that clung to her like a second skin. His fingers curled around the waistband, tugging it down slowly as he watched her biting her lip, nervous and excited all at once.

He found himself smirking as he tossed the piece of fabric aside. The sight of her bare under his watchful gaze sent a wave of pure lust coursing through him, igniting every cell in his body. Her legs opened slightly and invited him in.

Kneeling before her on the bar floor, he let his eyes roam up her parted legs. His gaze danced over the soft curves of her hips and the gentle swell of her belly before they settled on the spot between her thighs. He tasted her arousal in the air. Her hips slid on the bar top from sweat, as she tried to get closer to him, being anxious and greedy.

"Patience, baby," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. He grabbed her hips and pulled her further toward him. A gasp escaped her.

Just as slowly, he let his tongue trace a path from her knee up to where she was wet and ready for him. His touch was light but deliberate, teasing yet promising more.

Leigh's hands moved to his hair, her fingers clutching at the dark strands, readying herself for the onslaught of his tongue.

Claude took a deep breath and ran his thumb along the slick folds. Leigh's breath hitched as he teased her, a soft moan escaped through her gritted teeth. Gently, he spread her legs farther apart and lowered his head between them.

A soft sigh escaped her lips at the sensation of his tongue darting out to taste her for the first time. It was damn near hypnotic. "You taste better than I had even imagined," he claimed.

Her hands further dug into his hair. "Oh, Claude," she hummed out in a husky voice filled with desire.

His name spilled from her lips and lit him up like fireworks on a dark night. He couldn't help but growl in response. Claude's tongue moved in slow, languid strokes, exploring and tasting her in a way that had Leigh gasping and writhing beneath him.

Her hips bucked against him impatiently as the rhythm of his tongue intensified. His hands gripped tightly onto her hips, pulling her further into his mouth while his fingers explored the tender flesh of her inner thighs. The more Leigh squirmed and twisted on the bar top, the faster his tongue moved.

"Claude," she pleaded softly, and her voice trembled with the urgency of her need. But he didn't relent in his exploration of her, his desire to taste every inch of her overriding everything else.

Her moans filled the air as he found that sweet spot inside her and devoured it ruthlessly. Unable to contain herself, one hand reached down to grip his hair tighter while the other clung desperately onto the edge of the bar top.

Drunk off her taste, it took all his self-control not to rip her off the bar and bury his dick in her so fast, she wouldn't see it coming. But he used her impatience to his advantage. Her next climax would be so rewarding if she waited a little longer.

"What a good girl you are when you come for me," he said. He used his hand to wipe the rest of the juices dripping from her and placed them in his mouth to clean it off. She stared doe-eyed.

"I hope you haven't had enough, because I'm just getting started." He quickly grabbed her and turned her over on the bar. "Hands on your knees, that beautiful ass in the air."

Just the sight of her bare ass was enough to make him want to rush, but he palmed his erection through his pants and tried to keep the desire at bay for just a little longer.

He was about ready to unleash his assault on her ass when she quickly looked over her shoulder. "Claude, I appreciate your patience," she said while pulling her hair to the side. "I know you're doing this to display some kind of male dominance thing, and just this once, I'll let you win. But if you don't fuck me right now, I will grab that Jack Daniels bottle to your left and take matters into my own hands."

He was at a loss for words. Who was this girl and where had she been his entire life? He had every intention of making this slow and torturous, but with her filthy mouth, she shredded what little resolve he had left.

"Challenge accepted," he murmured in response, his lips curled into a predatory smile as his gaze darkened with lust. He pulled her off the bar and bent her over the bar stool.

He wasted no time in unzipping his pants so his thick erection sprung free.

He grabbed hold of her hips and pressed the head of his cock against her slick folds, evoking a shuddering sigh from her lips. Her scent was intoxicating, making him heady with desire and need.

"Claude, now," Leigh demanded.

"Leigh," he growled out, dark eyes burned with his intense desire.

Leaning over her shoulder, she shot him an impish grin as he climbed behind her once again. Her fingers gripped onto the edge of the bar top as she arched her back in anticipation.

His hand landed on her ass in a possessive grip. He squeezed tightly before landing a hard smack that had Leigh squealing in surprise and pleasure. He repeated the action several times, leaving her ass red and stinging. The sharp pain only heightened the sensation pooling between her thighs.

Claude positioned himself at her entrance and rubbed his length against her slick folds to tease. He leaned over her back and whispered hotly into her ear, "I'm not known for my patience, Leigh. Remember, you asked for it." His voice was raspy and thick with desire. Without wasting another second, he thrust hard inside her. The sound she let out was intoxicating, a mix of surprised gasp and a low moan that nearly sent him over the edge.

Her body welcomed him in, hot and wet, and so damn tight that he growled low in his throat at the sensation. His hands gripped onto her hips with an ironclad hold as he pulled out to ram back into her again. His pace was brutal and unrelenting, each thrust accompanied by a salacious grunt.

The sound of their bodies slapping together filled the room. Its echo bounced against the walls and mingled with the gasps and growls they let out.

Soon, their rhythm was all that mattered, a primal, animalistic dance of desire and lust. Claude held the back of her neck with one hand while the other rested on her hip, directing each thrust with a precision that made her shiver and moan.

"You feel so good," he growled out, his voice rougher than sandpaper. The words dripped with raw desire and appreciation.

Her lips quivered as she let out a breathy sigh. "Claude... More..."

His response was an animalistic growl as he increased his pace. His fingers dug into her hips, leaving marks that would surely turn into bruises by morning - a silent testament to their shared passion. Her breasts swayed with each thrust, his rigid length rubbing deliciously against her swollen clit.

Leaning down, he pressed biting kisses down her spine, the coolness of his lips a stark contrast against the burning heat of her flushed skin. His teeth grazed over the sensitive nape of her neck, earning him a gasp that was music to his ears.

Taking a firm grip on her hair, he gave it a sharp tug, tilting her head back toward him, enabling him to see the raw passion written all over her face. Her eyes were shut tight, and her lips were parted as breathy moans escaped in rhythm with his relentless pace.

"Open your eyes, Leigh," he ordered in a guttural growl. She obeyed without a second's hesitation, meeting his gaze through the mirror behind the bar in front of them. The sight of their connected bodies reflected back at them was more arousing than could be put into words.

Her eyes widened as she watched him drive into her. His muscles flexed and strained with effort. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead.

His gaze never left hers as he increased his pace even further. "Come for me," he growled out commandingly.

His own climax was threatening to break through any moment now, a volcanic eruption that would undoubtedly leave him spent beyond repair.

Upon hearing his command, she let out a cry of relief and pleasure as her body convulsed underneath him. Her inner walls clamped down on him like a vise, sending waves of pleasure coursing through every vein in his body.

With one final guttural groan, he gave it his all and thrust into Leigh one last time, burying himself deep within her. He felt a rush of heat flooding through him as he came along with her, their cries of pleasure intermingling and resonating throughout the room.

He held on tightly as they rode the waves of their orgasms. Both spent, they slid to the club floor.

"That was…" she started, but he quickly finished her sentence for her.

"Fucking incredible." He noticed her taking in the sight of him now that she was in the position to admire. He hoped she was pleased. So pleased that she was willing to do that again someday.

He stood up and reached out his hand to help pull her up from the floor. "I like the view," she said as he noticed her face was level with his dick.

"That's an adventure for another day."

He needed to get over to Aria's with the footage from the altercation and begin trying to get to the bottom of it.

He handed her her jeans while he pocketed her red lace underwear.

"What are you doing?" she questioned him with a strange look. "I kind of need those."

He approached her and gave her a slow, tantalizing kiss. "And I need you to think about seeing me again on your ride home as my cum drips down your legs and onto your car seat." He winked at her and began to exit the club.

"Where are you going?" she asked with her hand on her hips.

"I'm going to Aria's to get some information. I'll report back when I figure something out. Then I'll return these underwear to you, maybe."

With a salacious grin, he sauntered out of the club.