Thomas wrapped his hand around the base and sucked again, letting Kasper’s erection slide out of his mouth, only to capture it again a split second later, increasing his tempo. He squeezed his hand around him while his other hand gently played with his balls. He had yet to meet a man who could resist his intimate touch, a touch he knew was more tantalizing than that of a woman.

Because he knew better than any woman what a man wanted.

“Nobody can touch us. We’re strong. They’ll never get us.” Kasper panted heavily, his hips working frantically to increase the friction, pumping harder and faster in and out of Thomas’s mouth. “Oh, fuck, you’re good!”

Thomas’s chest swelled with pride. This was what he lived for: to seek pleasure and to return it.

“And one day, we won’t have to hide anymore. One day, they’ll accept us.”

Thomas heard the words and wanted to believe them, but he couldn’t. Nobody would ever accept deviants like him. He would always have to hide. But at least if the hiding place was like this, a private den of iniquity, where sin was always on the menu and wickedness was expected, he could live with it.

Giving himself over to his task, he licked and sucked until Kasper finally surrendered and shuddered. It took long seconds before he stilled completely, his head falling back against the armchair, his body almost collapsing.

Thomas raised his head and looked at him. What he saw made him fall backwards onto his ass, trying to scurry away in horror. But he got no chance. As he fell flat onto his back, Kasper jumped onto him, legs spread-eagle, straddling him. Iron-hard hands encircled Thomas’s wrists, pinning them to the floor next to his head.

Kasper flashed brilliant white fangs at him, snarling like a beast. “Now, my dear, you’ll listen to me. Your little attempt at trying to control me was all good and fine, but make no mistake: I allowed you to control me for my own pleasure. Because sometimes, we all like to be dominated.

Sometimes we enjoy being controlled and played with. But I decide when and where and how.

Do you understand that?”

Numbly, Thomas nodded, unable to speak, because all air had rushed out of his lungs. What was Kasper? What kind of creature was this man? No, he wasn’t a man. He couldn’t be a man.

He was a beast.

“I find you interesting.” He rocked his still semi-erect cock against Thomas’s groin. “And utterly sexy. But I don’t let myself be controlled by my baser instincts. I’m the master. I decide what happens, when it happens, and how it happens. And it just happens I’ve decided to make you my companion.” He let a smile quirk around his lips. “And not just because you suck cock so masterfully.”

Thomas shivered involuntarily. Despite the fear he felt when he looked at the sharp teeth that were protruding from Kasper’s mouth, the thought that this powerful man wanted him thrilled him. He was mature enough to admit it to himself: being controlled by another man excited him.

It turned him on and made him hard.

Kasper ground against him again, and Thomas felt his cock swell as a result of it. He closed his eyes, swallowing the shame of it. Because he should be ashamed of what he wanted: to be dominated by this man.

“You know it, don’t you? How much pleasure can be had from pain, from shame, even from fear. That’s why you’re so perfect. So perfect for what I need.” Kasper released one wrist and stroked his knuckles along Thomas’s neck, sending shivers racing down his skin.

The vein at his neck began to throb.

“Oh, yes, you know what I am, don’t you?”

Thomas shook his head, trying to deny what his mind had already figured out. It wasn’t possible. Creatures like him didn’t exist. Not in real life, not in London, not anywhere in England.

“Say it, lover, say what I am.” A long finger trailed along Thomas’s pulsating vein.

“Vampire.”

When the word was out, Thomas released a breath and felt the pressure on his chest ease.

Kasper lifted himself off and pulled him up to a sitting position, cupping his nape with one hand.

“See? It wasn’t that hard, was it?” He pressed a brief kiss on Thomas’s lips. Then he placed his hand over Thomas’s hard-on. “Even though other things are hard again.”

Startled, Thomas pulled back, but didn’t get far, Kasper’s hand on his nape holding him close. “You’re not going anywhere, don’t you understand that? Everything you’ll ever need is here. With me. I can protect you.” He pointed toward one of the windows which was hung with heavy velvet curtains. “Out there, a man like you will always be in danger. But I can help you.