His Phoenix Read online

  I could see why Ben had hired them and was grateful I didn’t have to deal with grumpy old guys with their cracks hanging out of their pants. I know that's a stereotype for plumbers but the movers that moved my stuff into that apartment were rude and in desperate need of belts. I'd almost offered to buy them one before they left.

  ∞∞∞

  By the time my last class of the day was over, I was starved and exhausted. I hadn’t eaten yet today.

  Stumbling into Ben’s front door, I was met with the most delicious smell. I followed it to the dining room.

  “Welcome home, my sweet,” Ben said, standing from the table as soon as he saw me. “How was your day?” He came over and kissed my forehead before pulling a chair out for me. “Sit. Eat.”

  I couldn’t help laughing at how excited he seemed to see me. “Hello to you too, Benjamin.” I sat in the offered chair and sighed. It felt good to be done for the day. “My day was long. How was yours?”

  “Better now that you’re here.” He answered, sitting back down in his chair.

  “This food looks and smells delicious. I haven’t eaten all day.”

  Ben looked so concerned as he spoke. “You should have called me, Charlotte. I would have met you somewhere with food.” His words made me feel warm inside.

  “I was just busy between classes and packing. I’ve been playing catch up with time all day and just didn’t have the chance to stop long enough to eat. Even if you’d brought me something, Ben, I don't think I would've had the time to stop and eat it.”

  Ben’s concern seemed to deepen. “That simply won’t do, Charlotte. How can I help you make time to take care of yourself?”

  I shrugged, not sure there was a solution. “I’ll let you know if I figure it out. I’m living further from campus now so my rides to and from are going to be about five minutes longer or more depending on traffic. Ubers aren’t on time all the time and sometimes the drivers drive like grandmas.” I laughed at my joke as I piled food onto my plate and started stuffing my face. I’m sure it wasn’t a pretty sight. I was too hungry to care.

  “I’ll have a car delivered to you in the morning. What is your preference for make and model?”

  I coughed as I almost choked on a piece of broccoli. “Like what kind of car do I want?” He was not seriously offering to buy me a car.

  “Yes, Charlotte. What kind of car would you like to drive? That will help you have time to take care of yourself, correct?”

  “I mean, yes, but, Ben, that's too much. Roommates don’t buy roommates' cars.”

  “Maybe you are more than a roommate to me, my sweet.”

  I blew out a breath. “Can we put whatever this is we keep doing off until tomorrow. I just want to eat and go to sleep.”

  “What exactly do you think we keep doing, Charlotte?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m not in the mood to be toyed with tonight.” I stood and started toward the stairs.

  Ben moved so quickly, cutting me off. “You think I’m toying with you, my sweet?” His face was so close, his eyes holding mine as they stared straight into my soul.

  “I don’t know what you’re doing, Benjamin, but it’s confusing my heart,” I said softly.

  Ben pressed his forehead to mine. “I never want your heart to be confused. Tell me what it’s confused about, and I will do my best to explain.”

  I put my hands on his firm chest and gently pushed him away. “It’s confused because I barely know you and yet, I feel like I’ve known you forever. You terrify me with the strange things that you do, but I can’t seem to stay away from you. I want to know everything about you, even the scary parts.”

  “And so, you shall.” Ben pulled me against his chest and just held me like no other man ever had before. He felt like home even though he didn’t radiate any warmth.

  “What's going on between us, Benjamin?” I asked into his chest.

  “You are mine, my sweet. That is the pull you feel to me. You are my forever.”

  I stepped back, looking into his eyes to see that he wasn’t kidding. He wholeheartedly believed what he was saying. “What are you?”

  Running a hand through his dark hair, he started to look nervous. “This was not how I saw this conversation going. Promise not to run when I tell you? Please know that I would never hurt you.”

  “That’s reassuring. Now, answer the question.” The anticipation of knowing his secrets was building. No one should be this curious about another person.

  “Will you run?” He pinned me with a look that begged me to stay.

  “I won’t run. My mom was the runner, not me.”

  “I’m a vampire.” I burst out laughing. I couldn’t help it. “Why are you laughing?”

  “I’m sorry,” I said, doubled over from laughing so hard. “It was a very good answer for the buildup. I’m ready to hear the real secret now.” I straightened myself and was met with a scowl.

  “That’s the real secret, Charlotte. I’m a vampire.”

  He really believed what he was telling me. Vampires weren’t real. I guess it would explain the big Victorian house and fancy furnishings.

  “You like to role play as a vampire, is that it? I mean, it’s a little weird for me, but if that’s what you’re into.”

  Ben moved fast and had me bent backward with his mouth on my neck in a split second. “I’m a real-life vampire, Charlotte,” He said against my neck, making me shiver. Then I felt his fangs and gasped. He rubbed them gently against my neck.

  “You’re a vampire,” I whispered, completely entranced by his closeness and the feeling of his mouth on me. At any moment he could bite me and drink my blood. I wanted him to.

  “I am.” Ben kissed my neck before standing me upright and stepping away. “Are you going to run now?” That pleading look was back in his eyes.

  “No. I don’t care that you’re a vampire, Ben. I still want to be your roommate.”

  He arched a brow at me. “Only my roommate?”

  “Give me time to digest this news and then we’ll talk. Okay?”

  “Whatever you need, my sweet. There is more you need to know, but that is for another time. Get some rest.” Ben kissed my forehead and went upstairs.

  I was left standing at the bottom of the stairs trying to wrap my head around the fact that my roommate was a vampire. It was unbelievable, but not. I'd known he wasnt human or shifter. What did I expect his answer to be when I'd asked him what he was? I wasn't sure. It sure wasn't vampire.

  I went back and finished my dinner before dragging myself to the second floor and getting ready for bed.

  There was more I needed to know about Ben, about vampires, all of it. Tomorrow when I was better rested, I was demanding to know the rest of his secrets.

  I snuggled down into the comfortable king-size bed and let sleep take me.

  Chapter Six

  Benjamin

  I sat in my office trying to decide if I wanted to chance calling one of my feeders over to feed me before I went to bed, or if I should go out and feed. I’d ended up deciding on the latter and was now on my way to one of my feeder’s houses.

  It was hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that Charlotte had accepted my confession so easily. I was expecting more fight from her, but she had just said she didn’t care that I was a vampire. She could be lying, though I would rather believe that she wasn’t. I wanted to believe our bond was just that strong.

  Pulling up to Andrea’s house, I shut off the engine and headed inside. I had the key and knew she would likely be sleeping. I went straight to her room where I found her sleeping soundly. Most vampires would see her sleeping half-naked form and have their way with her as they fed. Not that she hadn’t asked me to have sex with her before. It just wasn’t my thing.

  I approached the bed and shook her gently to wake her. “Andrea, it’s time for me to feed,” I said when she opened her eyes.

  “Okay,” She mumbled as she sat up. She threw the covers off, revealing her naked thig
hs to me.

  I shook my head and pulled the blanket back over them. “Tonight, I’m going to feed from your neck.”

  I wasn’t worried about anyone seeing my bite since it would be long healed by morning. Biting her thigh here in her bed felt too intimate to me.

  “Okay.” She said before I gently sunk my teeth into her neck and began to feed.

  I could feel my body slightly warm as my heartbeat grew stronger. The head rush came soon after almost causing me to groan. Blood was life, and having fresh blood pumping through your veins was a feeling that I could never explain. I licked the puncture marks as soon as I finished and helped Andrea lay back before tucking her in.

  “Sleep well, Andrea. I’ll see you next week.” She was already asleep.

  I left quietly and went home to get some sleep myself.

  ∞∞∞

  The next morning, I went down to breakfast and found Charlotte already seated at the dining room table.

  “Good morning, Benjamin,” She said, greeting me with a beautiful smile.

  I smiled in return before bending and kissing her forehead. “Good morning, my sweet.” She smelled like vanilla and honey. Delicious. “Did you sleep well?” I asked, taking the seat beside her.

  “I did. I don’t know what kind of mattress that is, but it held me just right all night. I didn’t even wake up to pee in the middle of the night like I usually do.” She blushed and shook her head. “Sorry, TMI.”

  I laughed. “There is no such thing in this house. Say whatever you like.”

  “So, I can curse like a sailor?” She smirked, mischief sparkling in her eyes.

  “I would prefer the lady of the house acted more like a lady than a sailor, but if you feel you need to speak that way then…”

  She shoulder bumped me. “I was kidding, Ben. My daddy taught me manners.”

  “Happy to hear that.”

  Mrs. Lent came out of the kitchen pushing a cart full of food. There was bacon, eggs, pancakes, waffles, and even fried potatoes.

  “This looks delicious, Mrs. Lent.” Charlotte’s stomach growled and she blushed again. “Sorry, the beast needs to be fed.”

  Mrs. Lent and I laughed.

  “Then you best get to feeding it, Charlie.” Mrs. Lent said as she started putting the plates of food on the table. “I’ll be back with a refill for your coffee.”

  Charlotte started loading food onto her plate. “Aren’t you going to eat- shit, sorry, I forgot you’re a vampire.” She stopped filling her plate and turned to me. “Are you really a vampire?”

  I grinned and nodded. “I am.”

  “Wow.” She stared at me in awe. It was finally sinking in. “Are you going to feed on me? Do vampires really live off blood?”

  “Yes. It also must be fresh from the vein. We can’t drink from blood bags or save it for later in the fridge.”

  Charlotte’s mouth formed into an o. “So, you are going to feed on me?”

  “No, my sweet. There is only one instance that my fangs will be involved with you.”

  Charlotte turned her whole body toward me. Her curiosity overriding any fear she might be feeling. “And what instance would that be?”

  “I think it’s too soon to be having this conversation, Ms. James.”

  “We’re literally living under the same roof, Mr. Valtor. I think it’s time all the cards are laid on the table.”

  I wanted to argue but I knew Charlotte was right. She was living in my house and deserved to know the truth about everything.

  “You’re my bloodmate.”

  “I’m sorry, your what?”

  I turned my body so that our knees were touching. “You’re the vampire version of a soulmate. We are fated to be together.”

  “You know how fucking crazy that sounds right?”

  “Not to a supernatural being it doesn’t. You know that shifters have mates, right?” Charlotte nodded. “So why is it so crazy to think that vampires would have the same thing?”

  “I guess you have a point. Is that why I feel so drawn to you?”

  “It is. Just as I'm drawn to you.” I moved closer and buried my face in her neck. “Your smell is intoxicating. So sweet.” I breathed deeply taking in her scent.

  “This is crazy.” She whispered, burying her hands in my hair.

  I began kissing her neck, letting her use my hair to guide me slowly to her mouth. “Will you mate me, Charlotte?”

  She used my hair to pull me away so she could look into my eyes. “Is it like shifter mating where we have to bite each other?” I could see uncertainty and fear in her eyes.

  “Yes, my sweet, but that’s not all. If we share bites, you will become a vampire as well. It’s the only way we can spend eternity together.”

  Charlotte was silent for a minute as she worried her bottom lip. “What if I don’t want to become a vampire? Would we still be mates?”

  “Of course, you’ll just be human, and I’ll have to be careful when we-”

  “Have sex?”

  “Yes. I’ll have to make sure to not be too rough with you.”

  Charlotte gripped my hair harder almost to the point of pain. “What if I like rough?”

  “Then that’s what you’ll get.” She let out an excited squeal as I lifted her from her chair and slung her over my shoulder and carried her toward the stairs. “May I take you upstairs and make you mine, Ms. James?”

  "Please."

  That was all I needed to hear before carrying her upstairs.

  Once in my room, I tossed her onto my bed. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  Charlotte bit her lip and gestured me to her with her finger. “Come here.”

  I grinned. “When did you become a little vixen?” It wasn’t a question that needed an answer. I crawled up the bed until I was hovering above my beautiful bloodmate. My fangs itched to bond us to her, but I knew that’s not what she wanted. “What do you want, my sweet?”

  “Kiss me.” She whispered, looking at me with a look I hoped was love. I loved her.

  "As you wish." I dipped my head and took her mouth with mine.

  She tasted just like she smelled, and I couldn’t resist thrusting my tongue into her mouth to get a better taste. She opened willingly for me, tangling her tongue with mine.

  She broke our kiss and wrapped her legs around my waist. "More, Ben, please!" She begged, trying to pull me closer.

  I could never tell her no and pulled away so I could undress.

  She gasped when I pulled down my briefs. I looked over to see her staring wide-eyed at my very hard, very angry looking cock. It, in all its ten-inch glory was practically pointing straight at her.

  “You still want to do this?” I had to make sure this was something she wouldn’t regret.

  “How does it work?” Her question made me take a step back.

  “Are you a virgin?”

  She laughed. “No, Ben. I meant, aren’t vampires dead? How does your cock work if your heart isn’t beating?”

  I threw my head back and laughed, feeling my cock bounce from my laughter. “Charlotte, my sweet.” I climbed slowly back onto the bed with her. Taking one of her hands, I pressed it to my chest. “Feel that?”

  She nodded, clearly surprised to feel my heartbeat. “But, how?”

  I sat back on my heels and pulled her into my lap. “I don’t know the scientifics of it all, I just know that some parts of us continue to work as long as we drink fresh blood, while others stop working altogether. Like the reproductive processes. The same will happen if you choose to complete our bond. You won’t be able to have children anymore. I know that can be a big thing for some humans.”

  Charlotte moved her legs so that she was straddling my lap. “I’m honestly terrified of the idea of children. I don’t know if I’d be a very good mother.”

  I kissed her sweetly before staring into her beautiful hazel eyes. “I think you’d make an excellent mother, Charlotte. But I won't mind if that’s something you're not interested in
.”

  “Did you want kids before you were turned?”

  “I never thought much about it before or after the fact. I like kids, and if you wanted to adopt some or stay human and have some of your own with a donor, I would love them as though they were my own.”

  Charlotte smiled and kissed me. “That’s very sweet of you, Benjamin." She looked down between us and then back at me with a grin. "I think I’ve had enough serious talk for the time being.” She stopped hoovering over my lap and lowered herself onto my bare dick.

  It was then that I remembered there were no undergarments underneath her nightshirt.

  Chapter Seven

  Charlotte

  Ben and I moaned when my bare pussy pressed against his cock.

  “Charlotte, I don't know how well I'll be able to control myself with you,” Ben gritted out, pulling my nightshirt over my head and tossing it aside. “You're so beautiful.” He grabbed my ass and used it to grind our sexes together.

  “And you’re a tease.” I was trying my best to stay in the moment and not get lost in how good it felt having his cold skin pressed against me.

  Sliding his hands up my back, he moved us so that his body was hovering over me again. “I apologize. That was never my intention.” His hands left my back and found my breast, gently massaging them. I arched into his touch, silently begging for more. “Tell me what you want, my sweet.”

  “More.” I moaned.

  He leaned down and took my nipple into his mouth. “So sweet. Is this what you needed?” He asked before moving to the other nipple. He kissed and sucked my breasts, making sure to pay equal attention to both as I squirmed beneath him.

  “Please,” I begged when the delicious tingle between my legs became almost too much to bear.

  Ben gently nipped the side of my breast. "Soon."

  "Now." I growled, reaching down and taking his cock into my hand. Two could play this game.

  He groaned and thrust into my hand. “Patience, my sweet.” He removed my hand from his cock and cupped my pussy.

  “Yes!” I cried out. I was so worked up. Just feeling his cool fingers on me was driving me closer to orgasm. I should be ashamed at how easy and responsive I was being for him. I wasn’t.