Judging by the small steps she was taking, Vail could tell Victoria was uncomfortable in the darkness. It was no matter though. He could see well enough for the both of them, so he kept his hands on her waist as he led her through the room, making sure she wouldn’t bump into any of the other furniture they passed by. He had waited long enough to feed on her blood, bargaining and conversing with her until they reached a place where they could be alone, but now it was his turn to indulge in his sinful pleasures. He could already feel the saliva build up in the back of his mouth in anticipation as they got closer to the lounge chair.

“It’s just a precaution,” he explained when Victoria tried to contest his decision to leave the lights out. “Besides, I didn’t know you’d be so keen to watch…” He smiled at her teasingly, though he wasn’t sure if she could see his face or not. It was strange, but he found that he was warming up to her a bit more after they had talked for a second time. She really was a delight to be around—and not just because her blood tasted so good. If he was honest, he genuinely enjoyed spending time with her, sharp tongue and all.

As she sat down, he reclined next to her, close enough that his hip brushed against hers. Another perk of their deal, he supposed, was that the experience of feeding could be better for both of them. He didn’t like preying on his victims in filthy alleyways any more than they did. Unfortunately, it was often his only choice, since he had to take them someplace where they wouldn’t be spotted by a member of the Order. Now, with a willing human at his mercy, he could enjoy the moment in comfort. It was quite the luxury.

Finished waiting, Vail swept one hand behind Victoria’s knees to pull her legs up onto the chaise. “Lay back,” he instructed softly, his eyes wandering hungrily over her body as he leaned over her. Intending to honor her condition that he wouldn’t bite her anywhere obvious, he now had to consider where else he would feed on her aside from her neck. The skin just above the collarbone was the favorite of his kind, since the blood flowed there so easily. However, it was also visible, so he would have to choose another spot this time.

Gingerly, he leaned in to trail his hands down her torso, using both touch and smell to determine where he could coax a steady trickle out of her. Though it was mostly for him, he also hoped the motion would calm her too, since she seemed to be trembling slightly with fear. He couldn’t take away all the unpleasantness of the process, but he would still try his best to make it as bearable for her as possible. She [i]was[/i] volunteering to be his prey, after all.

After a moment, he paused at her waist. Her skin there felt warm, and the flesh felt soft enough. He lowered his nose to her side. Though it was faint, he could smell a trace of her blood beneath the surface. It wouldn’t take much to bring it out. He licked his lips.

Having come to a decision, Vail brushed Victoria’s leather jacket aside and reached for the hem of her shirt to lift the fabric away from her middle. He didn’t bite her right away though. As he had done the last time, he swept his tongue over her fair skin, priming the area he wished to feed on and searching for the ideal spot in which to sink his teeth. He also adjusted the way he was seated to restrain her slightly better, just in case she kicked or thrashed from the pain. Unused to feeding anywhere but the neck, he didn’t want to risk getting a black eye that he would have to explain to his family.

Once he was ready, Vail reached up to take hold of her wrists, pinning them down against the seat just before he buried his fangs into the left side of her waist.