Smutshot Series
Title: Fingerprints
Completed: 08-28-2022
Pairing: Bella/Eleazar
Location: Rural Southern Maine
Word Count: 5390
Completed: 08-28-2022
Pairing: Bella/Eleazar
Location: Rural Southern Maine
Word Count: 5390
Fingerprints
I wasn’t looking for anything specific when I moved to a small town in southern Maine after graduation. I just needed away from Forks. The fucked up mess with the Cullens had soured my feelings for the small rainy town.
I quickly found a cute 3-bedroom bungalow to rent and paid the first 3 months in advance, so I could have a bit of leeway to find a job. The owner, an older gentleman named Tony, had been sweet the few times we had talked. He even mentioned that the local watering hole was needing help if I was looking for a waitressing or bartending job, or to check the library if I was wanting something a bit slower-paced.
I ended up looking into and taking the full-time waitressing job at Murphy’s Tavern. There was enough business that it would keep me on my toes, which Murphy West said meant major tips if I was any good at my job. It was also a good way for me to get comfortable around the townsfolk, and get to know the ins and outs, so to speak.
Murphy’s Tavern was kind of a mix of diner seating in the front, pool tables and pub seats in the center, and the alcohol bar in the back. The kitchen ran the length of the left side, so both the diner and back bar servers could reach it easily. Murphy usually rotated the servers, so everyone got an equal chance at the bar tips. Happy drunks gave a lot more in tips, he said. He was right; on my 3rd night in, I made triple my nightly tips because I was on the bar floor.
I was half a shift from the end of my first full week on the job when a man sat at the small corner table in my section. He opened the newspaper as I neared him, but placed it flat on the table while I pulled out my pad and pen. “Hi. I’m Bella, and I’ll be your waitress. What can I get for you tonight?”
I quickly found a cute 3-bedroom bungalow to rent and paid the first 3 months in advance, so I could have a bit of leeway to find a job. The owner, an older gentleman named Tony, had been sweet the few times we had talked. He even mentioned that the local watering hole was needing help if I was looking for a waitressing or bartending job, or to check the library if I was wanting something a bit slower-paced.
I ended up looking into and taking the full-time waitressing job at Murphy’s Tavern. There was enough business that it would keep me on my toes, which Murphy West said meant major tips if I was any good at my job. It was also a good way for me to get comfortable around the townsfolk, and get to know the ins and outs, so to speak.
Murphy’s Tavern was kind of a mix of diner seating in the front, pool tables and pub seats in the center, and the alcohol bar in the back. The kitchen ran the length of the left side, so both the diner and back bar servers could reach it easily. Murphy usually rotated the servers, so everyone got an equal chance at the bar tips. Happy drunks gave a lot more in tips, he said. He was right; on my 3rd night in, I made triple my nightly tips because I was on the bar floor.
I was half a shift from the end of my first full week on the job when a man sat at the small corner table in my section. He opened the newspaper as I neared him, but placed it flat on the table while I pulled out my pad and pen. “Hi. I’m Bella, and I’ll be your waitress. What can I get for you tonight?”
I looked up from my pad with a smile, only for it to falter as tears filled my eyes and my breathing hitched. The man -correction, animal-drinking vampire- looked confused, so I hurriedly cleared my throat and offered while meeting his eyes, “May I get you something to drink while you look over the menu?”
Quickly, the confusion cleared, and the man said with a smooth-as-silk voice, “Yes, of course. I’ll have a small coffee, straight, in a to-go cup, please.”
I nodded and put my pad in my apron, patted the corner of the table, then promised, “I’ll be right back with that for you.”
As I turned, I heard him say in a barely-there whisper, “You know, don’t you?”
I stopped and made like I was messing with my pad, my head down as I whispered back, “Not here, please. I get off at midnight. We can talk privately then.”
He nodded his head ever-so-slightly, so I went straight to the coffee pot, setting a small takeaway cup and lid on the counter. Another waitress, Mindy, stopped next to me before whispering with wide eyes, “You got him to order something?!”
I nodded, “Yeah. Why?”
She shook her head as I handed her the coffee pot and made sure the lid was tight on the cup, “Murphy didn’t explain why, but just said to leave him be unless he asks for something. He comes in every night, reads the paper for an hour or so, listens to whatever gossip is going around for a few hours, then leaves. Always leaves a tip, but never orders anything.”
I sighed softly, “Wish I’d have been told before I just trampled into his personal bubble.”
A couple of my tables looked ready to close out, so I smiled, “Thanks for the info, Mindy. Gotta go.”
I told my tables I’d be right back to get them settled, then dropped off the vampire’s coffee. “Here you are, Sir. If you need anything, please catch my attention, otherwise, I’ll leave you be. I was uninformed of the routine.”
He smiled, shook his head, and offered, “You did nothing wrong, Bella, I assure you. I shouldn’t keep you from your other tables, though.”
I nodded quickly, then turned with a grin to Ada and Geoffrey Miller, a cute couple in their fifties that lived 2 houses down from me. “Are you sure I can’t sweet talk that crumble recipe from you, Mrs. Miller? I’ve been craving it ever since I finished the delicious welcome dish you brought me.”
The graying brunette laughed easily, “Keep giving us such superb service, Bella, and I might just be tempted!”
I chuckled as I rested my hand on her shoulder, “I aim to please, Mrs. Miller. Speaking of, is there anything else I can get for the two of you?”
Mr. Miller grinned and patted his belly, “That was just the late-night snack we needed, Dear. When you get a chance, we’ll settle our bill.”
I grinned at his late-night comment, since it was only 8:30, but said, “I can settle you now, then. Here you are.”
I went to set their tab down on the table, but Mr. Miller handed me a $20 bill for a $10 tab. Before I could tell him I’d be right back with his change, he offered, “You keep the change. You deserve it for how much you run around this place.”
I grinned, “Thank you, Mr. Miller. I appreciate it. You two be careful on your way out. It was raining the last time I looked out the window.”
My night continued the same way, and I was constantly running from one table to another to take care of my customers. I barely had the chance to suck down some water, let alone eat anything.
Finally, at around 10:45, there was a short lull in customers. Murphy came out from the kitchen with a plate, his eyes set on me. I looked around, but the only occupied table of mine was the vampire.
Murphy scowled at me resting against the counter, “I’m ordering you to sit and eat. You are not to tend to another table for the next 20 minutes. I’ll not have you dropping from exhaustion while on duty. You refused your break, and you haven’t eaten a bite of food since before you came on at 4.”
I gratefully dropped onto the stool at the counter, “Thank you, Sir.”
He shook his head, “I mean it, Swan. Twenty minutes. If I see you up before that plate is done, I’ll switch you to split shift for the rest of the month.”
I winced, “Heard, Sir. Twenty minutes, no less, and an empty plate.”
As soon as Murphy was gone, I took a bite of my chicken club, then moaned at how good the marinated and grilled chicken tasted. The barest hint of a chuckle could be heard from nearby, so I looked up. The vampire was smiling at his paper, but he looked up enough to catch my gaze. I shook my head and raised my napkin to my mouth, then whispered, “Oh, hush. You’d have the same reaction if you could eat it. The man can seriously cook.”
With a raised eyebrow and another smile his only response, I went back to savoring my chicken club, seasoned fries, and house-made dill pickle.
Murphy smiled widely when he came out to see me finishing my meal at the 25-minute mark. “Good. I’m glad you listened. I really didn’t want to put you on split shift. That would have been punishment for both of us. With it being Saturday night, most of the business for the rest of the night will be at the bar. Do you want to finish out your shift here or at the bar?”
I let out a breath, then said, “Honestly, Sir, you can let Mindy have the bar tonight, and I’ll take it next week. I think the slower pace out here will do me good, and Mindy needs the tips to pay the mechanic for the work done on her car. If you aren’t overstaffed in back, please consider letting her stay until close.”
Murphy chuckled, patted my back, and shook his head, “Always taking care of others, Swan. I’ll give Mindy the option since Amy never came in tonight. You’re done at midnight when we close down the front of the house.”
I nodded as he picked up my cleared plate, “Yep. Going straight home. I’ll be here for my shift Monday.”
With a nod and a reminder to make sure I cashed out before clocking out, Murphy was off toward the kitchen with my empty plate.
The vampire left a $100 bill on his table under his full to-go cup. I hadn’t even seen when he left, as I was taking care of a party of 10 teenagers coming in for ice cream sundays and rootbeer floats.
At midnight, I finished washing the down the tables after the last customer left, locked the front door, closed the glass doors leading to the pool table area, and turned off the lights.
I ran the register close out, grabbed out the money tray, then met Murphy back in his office. He was eating a chicken pot pie from the kitchen while looking at a spreadsheet. “Have a seat, Swan. Feel free to use the desk, if you need it.”
It took me a good 35 minutes to count my totals, check my credit receipts, and tally up the register. Murphy sat back in his chair, his arms bent and hands linked behind his head when I was done, “How’d you do?”
I smiled, “I had a good night. I’m due $158.06 from credit card receipts and have another $201.82 from cash sales. The register is 17 cents over from the sales tally for the day. I ran the numbers twice to be sure.”
He grinned and grabbed the money tray from the desk, then laid the full amount I was due on the desk in front of me. “You earned every bit of this, young lady. Promise me one thing. When it’s time for your dinner break from now on, take it.”
As I pocketed the money and placed my receipts in front of him, I chuckled, “I will. Can I ask you a question?”
At his nod, I asked, “The man who sat in the corner of my section… does he always tip like that? He got a small coffee, and left a $100.”
Murphy raised an eyebrow, then grinned, “Sounds like you have an admirer, Swan. The most I’ve heard of him leaving is $40 -maybe $50 max- when he leaves, and that’s only because he takes up the table for so long.”
I stood and shook my head, the thought of him being an admirer seeming silly. “Seriously doubtful, but I’ll deal with that when I have a clear head.” I went to the wall, punched my time card, then said, “I think I’ll sleep a full 12 hours after today. Monday at 4, right?”
Murphy nodded, “You’re my ace in the hole, Swan. Do you realize since I brought you on for nights, my sales have gone up 7%? That’s in just 6 nights. You have a way with people. You get them talking, make them comfortable, and keep them ordering.”
I looked at him in shock, but he made a point to say, “Amos Walker refuses to wait to be seated anywhere he goes, but he waited for 20 minutes in the bar today to get a seat in your section. I’m definitely keeping you on nights.”
I chuckled, then said seriously, “He’s a sweet old man who is lonely without his wife. I don’t think his kids or grandkids realize how lonely he is… that he just wants someone to talk to.”
Murphy laughed outright, “Sweet? Ha! Old man Walker is as cranky as they come. Good night, Swan. You okay to get home, or would you like a ride?”
I shook my head while making my way to the door, “I’m good to walk, but thanks for the offer.”
Though I didn’t see the vampire on the 2-block walk to my house, I saw him sitting on my front porch steps as I walked into the yard. I smiled softly as I stopped in front of him, “I was wondering if you had changed your mind.”
His smile seemed guarded as he responded, “You intrigue me, Miss Swan. Plus you were correct in thinking our conversation should be had in private… though we can delay until tomorrow, should you want to sleep now.”
I chuckled as I passed him and unlocked the door, “It’s fine. I’m not upset you waited here, and it usually takes me a bit to switch modes before I can sleep. Come on in. Make yourself comfortable. No offense, but I desperately need a hot shower and my cozies before we get all deep and explanational.”
He laughed outright as he closed the door behind himself. “No offense taken, I assure you. You have spent the last 8 hours taking care of everyone but yourself. Please, take some time to unwind. I will wait in your living room.”
While I showered, my mind finally took in the fact that a vampire was -again- in my vicinity. Though I should have been upset, I realized I was longing for that cool touch that would accompany his smooth voice. Then my mind strayed to how long it had been since my last roll in the hay, and how good it would feel if that cool touch would make itself intimately acquainted with my body. I stopped that train of thought quickly to finish my shower.
A thought struck my mind as I towel-dried my hair, and I had to know the answer right then. I quickly wrapped my towel around me, then whipped the bedroom door open before rushing into the living room. “Tell me you’re alone… please. There’s not a whole coven with you, right?”
When I found him, he was standing in front of the only picture I kept of Edward and me together. His eyes met mine, then widened as he took in my current lack of clothing. Before I could register the movement, he was to me, only a few inches separating us.
His hand came up to trace a few water drops on my shoulder, then he cupped my cheek, “I am alone. There is no coven with me.”
My eyes fluttered closed at the feeling of his cool hand against my cheek, then my breathing stuttered when his other hand traced the water droplets on my other shoulder. Arousal slithered down my spine at the action, and I found myself moaning as a cool mouth teased my own.
Though I expected him to retreat, the vampire pulled my body flush to his, wove the hand on my cheek into the back of my hair, and deepened the kiss with a delicious hum. The vibration went straight to my core, making me press myself even further against him while gripping his shoulders tightly.
Seconds later, I found myself being picked up, the vampire’s hands sliding underneath the towel to grip my bare hips. The feeling was beyond incredible, so I wrapped my legs around him and gasped against his lips as I broke the kiss, “More… your touch is sinful it’s so good.”
His eyes were the deepest amber flecked with black when they met mine, so I whispered as my finger gently traced under one eye, “Do you need to hunt?”
His tongue peeked out to trace my lips, then his hands slid up to just under my breasts as he said in a deliciously deep tone, “Not thirst, Bella. Desire.”
His tongue traced my lips again, but I caught it with mine before he could retreat again. I didn’t even think as he caught me in another deeply passionate kiss. My hands automatically found the buttons of his shirt and started fluidly releasing them.
A rush of air around me told me we moved, then I felt myself being lowered to my bed. He broke the kiss as he stood, a blur of motion before he was looking down at me bare-chested.
He bent over me, one hand resting near my head, then traced a finger from my chin, down slowly to where the towel was tucked between my breasts. Eyes on mine, he gave me every opportunity to stop him as he untucked the towel. When I arched my back instead, he pushed the fabric out of the way and cupped my breast with a deep groan of, “Christ, you’re beautiful.”
I gasped in the next second when his mouth surrounded the nipple of my other breast. The cool sensation was amazing, and my hands wove into his hair as I whimpered, “Fuck, that’s incredible. More.”
The vampire’s eyes were black as coal when they met mine. He watched me as he sucked deeply on my nipple, his free hand sliding over my hip to my core. I was so wet I could hear his fingers as they teased my entrance.
With a growl, he let go of my nipple, and I suddenly felt his fingers thrust into me until his palm rested against my core. I couldn’t help but gasp loudly as I pressed further against him. He chuckled as he kissed his way down toward his now thrusting fingers, “You like that, don’t you, Beautiful? Would you rather my fingers or my mouth make you cum?”
His tongue flicked against my clit right as his fingers made another thrust, causing me to cry out as my hands fisted tightly in his hair, “Both… Jesus Christ, both.” He hummed as he sucked at my clit, then thrust his fingers palm deep again. My hips rocked, trying to take his fingers deeper still.
I suddenly found myself on my hands and knees, coal-black eyes staring into mine from beneath my core. His fingers teased, dipping just barely into my entrance as he moaned, “Rock as deeply as you want, Beautiful. Show me how much you want my fingers and tongue.”
It took less than 2 minutes to work myself into a mess of gasps and cries as I rocked, especially when he would hum or curl his fingers as I took them as deeply as I could. Finally, he took mercy on me, thrust hard and fast several times while sucking hard on my clit, then growled, “Now, Bella. That’s it, right there. Cum hard for me.”
With a loud cry and a shudder as my orgasm ripped through me, he replaced his fingers with his tongue, his fingers gripping my hips from behind as he hummed deeply.
As my orgasm faded, I felt him scooting up underneath me. I sat back, humming with a smile when my ass made contact with his bare and very excited lower anatomy. I automatically leaned up just enough to reach my hand down and stroke him. He groaned, “You can’t know how amazing you feel… how delicious you taste on my tongue… how much I ache to be inside you.”
After my next stroke, I positioned his tip at my entrance, then groaned as I slid down his shaft, “I think I do; the ache to feel you inside me has been unbearable.”
With my hands on his chest, I quickly started a deep rhythm of rocking and sliding. At one point, my hands left his chest to play with my breasts, kneading the aching globes and pinching my nipples. He took that as his cue, thumbing my clit while thrusting up from below on my downward strokes. I groaned while increasing my pace, “Right there… oh, fuck, that’s…”
I came in a rush, but before the pleasure could fade, I found myself again on my hands and knees. He kissed up my spine, humming as his hands explored from my breasts to my hips, “I need to touch you. When I cum inside you, Bella, I need to be as deep as your body can handle me.”
He slid inside me extremely slowly, then when his hips met my ass, he adjusted the angle of my hips and slid a bit deeper. He rotated his hips with a deep groan, “Right here.”
He quickly withdrew, only to thrust fast and deep several times. It wasn’t enough, though, causing me to beg, “Harder. Deeper. Oh, there. Again… so deep.”
With one hand gripping my hip and the other molding to my breast, he kissed the back of my neck, urging me as he continued his deep hard thrusts, “Come for me one more time. I can feel how close you are, Bella.”
His fingers gripped my hip even tighter, his other hand suddenly rubbing fast, tight circles on my clit. I shattered with a loud cry, my whole body trembling from the force of my orgasm. My vampire lover was only three thrusts behind me, my name sounding like pure ecstasy as he spilled inside me.
When the pleasure faded, all my muscles gave out. Though I expected to crash to the mattress, he caught me with a chuckle, then gently let me down as he moved enough to lay next to me. When we were settled, it looked like he wanted to say something, but I shook my head, “No deep explanations. No regrets, and no strings. Either of us can step away whenever we want without any emotional baggage. Deal?”
Amber eyes searched mine, then the vampire nodded, saying seriously, “You have a deal, Miss Swan.” Then he pulled me to him and kissed me passionately.
~~~~~
I woke Sunday afternoon deliciously sore. Though the vampire was no longer here, there was a beautiful tri-color hydrangea bloom and a note in his place. I tried to roll enough to smell the pillow his head had laid on, but suddenly stopped when the soreness in my hip rose.
I lifted the covers and looked in confusion, but my confusion quickly gave way to understanding. Though I only felt an eagerness for him to hold me closer, or grip my hips harder, it seemed as though my vampire lover left clear impressions of where he held my hips.
Flipping off the covers and going to stand in front of my full-length mirror, I realized he’d left what amounted to fingerprints anywhere he had gripped me in the heat of passion. My hips, ribs, breasts, thighs, and ass all bore the mark of our passion… and my only thought was hoping it would happen again soon.
I didn’t even know this vampire’s name. All I knew was how I felt in his arms; I didn’t want anything to ruin it. I wanted his fingerprints of passion splattered across my skin because it meant incredible pleasure had been shared.
I went through my normal routine Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, but by the time I neared my dinner break on Monday night, I was seriously uncomfortable. My bra kept aggravating some of my bruises. Of course, that’s when the vampire came in to take up his normal spot.
He looked at me for a long moment before taking his seat, then I saw him slyly motion me over. I took out my pad and pen, tried to fake a smile, and stopped at his table. I said hi and asked what I could get him tonight, then he whispered almost inaudibly, “Something’s wrong. I can see it on your features.”
Quickly, the confusion cleared, and the man said with a smooth-as-silk voice, “Yes, of course. I’ll have a small coffee, straight, in a to-go cup, please.”
I nodded and put my pad in my apron, patted the corner of the table, then promised, “I’ll be right back with that for you.”
As I turned, I heard him say in a barely-there whisper, “You know, don’t you?”
I stopped and made like I was messing with my pad, my head down as I whispered back, “Not here, please. I get off at midnight. We can talk privately then.”
He nodded his head ever-so-slightly, so I went straight to the coffee pot, setting a small takeaway cup and lid on the counter. Another waitress, Mindy, stopped next to me before whispering with wide eyes, “You got him to order something?!”
I nodded, “Yeah. Why?”
She shook her head as I handed her the coffee pot and made sure the lid was tight on the cup, “Murphy didn’t explain why, but just said to leave him be unless he asks for something. He comes in every night, reads the paper for an hour or so, listens to whatever gossip is going around for a few hours, then leaves. Always leaves a tip, but never orders anything.”
I sighed softly, “Wish I’d have been told before I just trampled into his personal bubble.”
A couple of my tables looked ready to close out, so I smiled, “Thanks for the info, Mindy. Gotta go.”
I told my tables I’d be right back to get them settled, then dropped off the vampire’s coffee. “Here you are, Sir. If you need anything, please catch my attention, otherwise, I’ll leave you be. I was uninformed of the routine.”
He smiled, shook his head, and offered, “You did nothing wrong, Bella, I assure you. I shouldn’t keep you from your other tables, though.”
I nodded quickly, then turned with a grin to Ada and Geoffrey Miller, a cute couple in their fifties that lived 2 houses down from me. “Are you sure I can’t sweet talk that crumble recipe from you, Mrs. Miller? I’ve been craving it ever since I finished the delicious welcome dish you brought me.”
The graying brunette laughed easily, “Keep giving us such superb service, Bella, and I might just be tempted!”
I chuckled as I rested my hand on her shoulder, “I aim to please, Mrs. Miller. Speaking of, is there anything else I can get for the two of you?”
Mr. Miller grinned and patted his belly, “That was just the late-night snack we needed, Dear. When you get a chance, we’ll settle our bill.”
I grinned at his late-night comment, since it was only 8:30, but said, “I can settle you now, then. Here you are.”
I went to set their tab down on the table, but Mr. Miller handed me a $20 bill for a $10 tab. Before I could tell him I’d be right back with his change, he offered, “You keep the change. You deserve it for how much you run around this place.”
I grinned, “Thank you, Mr. Miller. I appreciate it. You two be careful on your way out. It was raining the last time I looked out the window.”
My night continued the same way, and I was constantly running from one table to another to take care of my customers. I barely had the chance to suck down some water, let alone eat anything.
Finally, at around 10:45, there was a short lull in customers. Murphy came out from the kitchen with a plate, his eyes set on me. I looked around, but the only occupied table of mine was the vampire.
Murphy scowled at me resting against the counter, “I’m ordering you to sit and eat. You are not to tend to another table for the next 20 minutes. I’ll not have you dropping from exhaustion while on duty. You refused your break, and you haven’t eaten a bite of food since before you came on at 4.”
I gratefully dropped onto the stool at the counter, “Thank you, Sir.”
He shook his head, “I mean it, Swan. Twenty minutes. If I see you up before that plate is done, I’ll switch you to split shift for the rest of the month.”
I winced, “Heard, Sir. Twenty minutes, no less, and an empty plate.”
As soon as Murphy was gone, I took a bite of my chicken club, then moaned at how good the marinated and grilled chicken tasted. The barest hint of a chuckle could be heard from nearby, so I looked up. The vampire was smiling at his paper, but he looked up enough to catch my gaze. I shook my head and raised my napkin to my mouth, then whispered, “Oh, hush. You’d have the same reaction if you could eat it. The man can seriously cook.”
With a raised eyebrow and another smile his only response, I went back to savoring my chicken club, seasoned fries, and house-made dill pickle.
Murphy smiled widely when he came out to see me finishing my meal at the 25-minute mark. “Good. I’m glad you listened. I really didn’t want to put you on split shift. That would have been punishment for both of us. With it being Saturday night, most of the business for the rest of the night will be at the bar. Do you want to finish out your shift here or at the bar?”
I let out a breath, then said, “Honestly, Sir, you can let Mindy have the bar tonight, and I’ll take it next week. I think the slower pace out here will do me good, and Mindy needs the tips to pay the mechanic for the work done on her car. If you aren’t overstaffed in back, please consider letting her stay until close.”
Murphy chuckled, patted my back, and shook his head, “Always taking care of others, Swan. I’ll give Mindy the option since Amy never came in tonight. You’re done at midnight when we close down the front of the house.”
I nodded as he picked up my cleared plate, “Yep. Going straight home. I’ll be here for my shift Monday.”
With a nod and a reminder to make sure I cashed out before clocking out, Murphy was off toward the kitchen with my empty plate.
The vampire left a $100 bill on his table under his full to-go cup. I hadn’t even seen when he left, as I was taking care of a party of 10 teenagers coming in for ice cream sundays and rootbeer floats.
At midnight, I finished washing the down the tables after the last customer left, locked the front door, closed the glass doors leading to the pool table area, and turned off the lights.
I ran the register close out, grabbed out the money tray, then met Murphy back in his office. He was eating a chicken pot pie from the kitchen while looking at a spreadsheet. “Have a seat, Swan. Feel free to use the desk, if you need it.”
It took me a good 35 minutes to count my totals, check my credit receipts, and tally up the register. Murphy sat back in his chair, his arms bent and hands linked behind his head when I was done, “How’d you do?”
I smiled, “I had a good night. I’m due $158.06 from credit card receipts and have another $201.82 from cash sales. The register is 17 cents over from the sales tally for the day. I ran the numbers twice to be sure.”
He grinned and grabbed the money tray from the desk, then laid the full amount I was due on the desk in front of me. “You earned every bit of this, young lady. Promise me one thing. When it’s time for your dinner break from now on, take it.”
As I pocketed the money and placed my receipts in front of him, I chuckled, “I will. Can I ask you a question?”
At his nod, I asked, “The man who sat in the corner of my section… does he always tip like that? He got a small coffee, and left a $100.”
Murphy raised an eyebrow, then grinned, “Sounds like you have an admirer, Swan. The most I’ve heard of him leaving is $40 -maybe $50 max- when he leaves, and that’s only because he takes up the table for so long.”
I stood and shook my head, the thought of him being an admirer seeming silly. “Seriously doubtful, but I’ll deal with that when I have a clear head.” I went to the wall, punched my time card, then said, “I think I’ll sleep a full 12 hours after today. Monday at 4, right?”
Murphy nodded, “You’re my ace in the hole, Swan. Do you realize since I brought you on for nights, my sales have gone up 7%? That’s in just 6 nights. You have a way with people. You get them talking, make them comfortable, and keep them ordering.”
I looked at him in shock, but he made a point to say, “Amos Walker refuses to wait to be seated anywhere he goes, but he waited for 20 minutes in the bar today to get a seat in your section. I’m definitely keeping you on nights.”
I chuckled, then said seriously, “He’s a sweet old man who is lonely without his wife. I don’t think his kids or grandkids realize how lonely he is… that he just wants someone to talk to.”
Murphy laughed outright, “Sweet? Ha! Old man Walker is as cranky as they come. Good night, Swan. You okay to get home, or would you like a ride?”
I shook my head while making my way to the door, “I’m good to walk, but thanks for the offer.”
Though I didn’t see the vampire on the 2-block walk to my house, I saw him sitting on my front porch steps as I walked into the yard. I smiled softly as I stopped in front of him, “I was wondering if you had changed your mind.”
His smile seemed guarded as he responded, “You intrigue me, Miss Swan. Plus you were correct in thinking our conversation should be had in private… though we can delay until tomorrow, should you want to sleep now.”
I chuckled as I passed him and unlocked the door, “It’s fine. I’m not upset you waited here, and it usually takes me a bit to switch modes before I can sleep. Come on in. Make yourself comfortable. No offense, but I desperately need a hot shower and my cozies before we get all deep and explanational.”
He laughed outright as he closed the door behind himself. “No offense taken, I assure you. You have spent the last 8 hours taking care of everyone but yourself. Please, take some time to unwind. I will wait in your living room.”
While I showered, my mind finally took in the fact that a vampire was -again- in my vicinity. Though I should have been upset, I realized I was longing for that cool touch that would accompany his smooth voice. Then my mind strayed to how long it had been since my last roll in the hay, and how good it would feel if that cool touch would make itself intimately acquainted with my body. I stopped that train of thought quickly to finish my shower.
A thought struck my mind as I towel-dried my hair, and I had to know the answer right then. I quickly wrapped my towel around me, then whipped the bedroom door open before rushing into the living room. “Tell me you’re alone… please. There’s not a whole coven with you, right?”
When I found him, he was standing in front of the only picture I kept of Edward and me together. His eyes met mine, then widened as he took in my current lack of clothing. Before I could register the movement, he was to me, only a few inches separating us.
His hand came up to trace a few water drops on my shoulder, then he cupped my cheek, “I am alone. There is no coven with me.”
My eyes fluttered closed at the feeling of his cool hand against my cheek, then my breathing stuttered when his other hand traced the water droplets on my other shoulder. Arousal slithered down my spine at the action, and I found myself moaning as a cool mouth teased my own.
Though I expected him to retreat, the vampire pulled my body flush to his, wove the hand on my cheek into the back of my hair, and deepened the kiss with a delicious hum. The vibration went straight to my core, making me press myself even further against him while gripping his shoulders tightly.
Seconds later, I found myself being picked up, the vampire’s hands sliding underneath the towel to grip my bare hips. The feeling was beyond incredible, so I wrapped my legs around him and gasped against his lips as I broke the kiss, “More… your touch is sinful it’s so good.”
His eyes were the deepest amber flecked with black when they met mine, so I whispered as my finger gently traced under one eye, “Do you need to hunt?”
His tongue peeked out to trace my lips, then his hands slid up to just under my breasts as he said in a deliciously deep tone, “Not thirst, Bella. Desire.”
His tongue traced my lips again, but I caught it with mine before he could retreat again. I didn’t even think as he caught me in another deeply passionate kiss. My hands automatically found the buttons of his shirt and started fluidly releasing them.
A rush of air around me told me we moved, then I felt myself being lowered to my bed. He broke the kiss as he stood, a blur of motion before he was looking down at me bare-chested.
He bent over me, one hand resting near my head, then traced a finger from my chin, down slowly to where the towel was tucked between my breasts. Eyes on mine, he gave me every opportunity to stop him as he untucked the towel. When I arched my back instead, he pushed the fabric out of the way and cupped my breast with a deep groan of, “Christ, you’re beautiful.”
I gasped in the next second when his mouth surrounded the nipple of my other breast. The cool sensation was amazing, and my hands wove into his hair as I whimpered, “Fuck, that’s incredible. More.”
The vampire’s eyes were black as coal when they met mine. He watched me as he sucked deeply on my nipple, his free hand sliding over my hip to my core. I was so wet I could hear his fingers as they teased my entrance.
With a growl, he let go of my nipple, and I suddenly felt his fingers thrust into me until his palm rested against my core. I couldn’t help but gasp loudly as I pressed further against him. He chuckled as he kissed his way down toward his now thrusting fingers, “You like that, don’t you, Beautiful? Would you rather my fingers or my mouth make you cum?”
His tongue flicked against my clit right as his fingers made another thrust, causing me to cry out as my hands fisted tightly in his hair, “Both… Jesus Christ, both.” He hummed as he sucked at my clit, then thrust his fingers palm deep again. My hips rocked, trying to take his fingers deeper still.
I suddenly found myself on my hands and knees, coal-black eyes staring into mine from beneath my core. His fingers teased, dipping just barely into my entrance as he moaned, “Rock as deeply as you want, Beautiful. Show me how much you want my fingers and tongue.”
It took less than 2 minutes to work myself into a mess of gasps and cries as I rocked, especially when he would hum or curl his fingers as I took them as deeply as I could. Finally, he took mercy on me, thrust hard and fast several times while sucking hard on my clit, then growled, “Now, Bella. That’s it, right there. Cum hard for me.”
With a loud cry and a shudder as my orgasm ripped through me, he replaced his fingers with his tongue, his fingers gripping my hips from behind as he hummed deeply.
As my orgasm faded, I felt him scooting up underneath me. I sat back, humming with a smile when my ass made contact with his bare and very excited lower anatomy. I automatically leaned up just enough to reach my hand down and stroke him. He groaned, “You can’t know how amazing you feel… how delicious you taste on my tongue… how much I ache to be inside you.”
After my next stroke, I positioned his tip at my entrance, then groaned as I slid down his shaft, “I think I do; the ache to feel you inside me has been unbearable.”
With my hands on his chest, I quickly started a deep rhythm of rocking and sliding. At one point, my hands left his chest to play with my breasts, kneading the aching globes and pinching my nipples. He took that as his cue, thumbing my clit while thrusting up from below on my downward strokes. I groaned while increasing my pace, “Right there… oh, fuck, that’s…”
I came in a rush, but before the pleasure could fade, I found myself again on my hands and knees. He kissed up my spine, humming as his hands explored from my breasts to my hips, “I need to touch you. When I cum inside you, Bella, I need to be as deep as your body can handle me.”
He slid inside me extremely slowly, then when his hips met my ass, he adjusted the angle of my hips and slid a bit deeper. He rotated his hips with a deep groan, “Right here.”
He quickly withdrew, only to thrust fast and deep several times. It wasn’t enough, though, causing me to beg, “Harder. Deeper. Oh, there. Again… so deep.”
With one hand gripping my hip and the other molding to my breast, he kissed the back of my neck, urging me as he continued his deep hard thrusts, “Come for me one more time. I can feel how close you are, Bella.”
His fingers gripped my hip even tighter, his other hand suddenly rubbing fast, tight circles on my clit. I shattered with a loud cry, my whole body trembling from the force of my orgasm. My vampire lover was only three thrusts behind me, my name sounding like pure ecstasy as he spilled inside me.
When the pleasure faded, all my muscles gave out. Though I expected to crash to the mattress, he caught me with a chuckle, then gently let me down as he moved enough to lay next to me. When we were settled, it looked like he wanted to say something, but I shook my head, “No deep explanations. No regrets, and no strings. Either of us can step away whenever we want without any emotional baggage. Deal?”
Amber eyes searched mine, then the vampire nodded, saying seriously, “You have a deal, Miss Swan.” Then he pulled me to him and kissed me passionately.
~~~~~
I woke Sunday afternoon deliciously sore. Though the vampire was no longer here, there was a beautiful tri-color hydrangea bloom and a note in his place. I tried to roll enough to smell the pillow his head had laid on, but suddenly stopped when the soreness in my hip rose.
I lifted the covers and looked in confusion, but my confusion quickly gave way to understanding. Though I only felt an eagerness for him to hold me closer, or grip my hips harder, it seemed as though my vampire lover left clear impressions of where he held my hips.
Flipping off the covers and going to stand in front of my full-length mirror, I realized he’d left what amounted to fingerprints anywhere he had gripped me in the heat of passion. My hips, ribs, breasts, thighs, and ass all bore the mark of our passion… and my only thought was hoping it would happen again soon.
I didn’t even know this vampire’s name. All I knew was how I felt in his arms; I didn’t want anything to ruin it. I wanted his fingerprints of passion splattered across my skin because it meant incredible pleasure had been shared.
I went through my normal routine Sunday afternoon and Monday morning, but by the time I neared my dinner break on Monday night, I was seriously uncomfortable. My bra kept aggravating some of my bruises. Of course, that’s when the vampire came in to take up his normal spot.
He looked at me for a long moment before taking his seat, then I saw him slyly motion me over. I took out my pad and pen, tried to fake a smile, and stopped at his table. I said hi and asked what I could get him tonight, then he whispered almost inaudibly, “Something’s wrong. I can see it on your features.”
I whispered back, “I have your fingerprints as a delicious reminder of Saturday night. The problem is my bra has wires, which are aggravating the situation.”
His eyes widened momentarily, then he whispered back, “Shall I go get you one without wires from your drawers? Either that, or you could just remove the wires from the one you are wearing.”
I felt like facepalming. Of course. The solution was so simple it had completely eluded me. I chuckled then assured him, “I didn’t think of that… and I don’t have any without wires. I’m up for dinner break in a few minutes, so I’ll deal with it then.”
Our whole conversation lasted less than a minute, so it didn’t seem off for him to finally answer my original question. “Black coffee, please.”
I smiled genuinely this time, “To-go cup?”
He grinned, “Yes, please.”
When I reached the coffee, Mindy stopped by, “I see you have Eleazar Castellón again.”
I nearly choked on my tongue, “Who?”
She repeated slowly, “Eleazar Castellón. Mr. silent but sexy.”
I quickly shook my head and tried to hide my sudden panic about finding out who my vampire lover was. “Oh, yeah. Mr. Newspaper. I never caught his name the other day.”
With a smile, I turned to take him his coffee but saw him watching me carefully. I sat his drink down in front of him, whispering seriously, “No explanations. I don’t need to know why you aren’t in Alaska right now. The only thing I need to know is if I was told the truth about you being mated.”
He scowled but looked directly into my eyes as he promised me, “If you were told I was mated, you were lied to. Carmen and I may have been lovers for nearly the last 50 years, but she found her mate a couple of years ago. Bella, I swear to you I’m not mated.”
I nodded while letting out a heavy breath, then heard Murphy trying to catch my attention. I turned my head, saw him tapping his watch, and nodded before turning back to Eleazar. “I’ll leave you to it, Sir. Enjoy your coffee.” I gave him a small smile, then headed toward the employee lounge.
Once in the connected ladies bathroom, I quickly pulled my sleeveless top over my head, ripped my bra off, then tried to finagle the wires out. It took me a good few minutes, but I was much more comfortable once those damn wires were removed.
That taken care of, I replaced my top, straightened myself out, and headed to the kitchen. Murphy was there finishing up a plate when I walked in. He eyed me before saying, “I was about to remind you of your words to me Saturday night.”
I chuckled, “No tongue lashing needed, Sir. I just needed the little girl’s room before sitting down to eat.”
He handed me the plate, “Good. Now eat. Is there something I should know about?”
When I looked up from my food, Murphy was staring at a small round bruise on my shoulder… a passionate fingerprint. I chuckled, not moving to cover it up, “That? That’s my shampoo bottle’s attempt to tell me the shelf thing wasn’t stable. I have one of those adjustable corner shower things, and I guess I didn’t get the shelf stabilizer tightened. Scared the crap out of me when it hit me out of nowhere, but it’s nothing to worry about. Thanks for checking, though.”
He nodded once after looking at me for a full 30 seconds, then pointed to my plate. “Eat, Swan.”
I smiled, “Yes, Sir.”
When I returned to the front of the house, I let Mindy know I was back, then sent a small smile toward Eleazar as he looked at me over top of his paper. He changed the angle he was reading at just long enough for me to catch his return smile.
~~~~~
Over the next year, things slowly changed. Though the passion was neverending between us, we became comfortable with each other outside the bedroom, and slowly began opening up to each other. It was such a gradual and easy thing, that I was completely caught off guard one night.
We had been lounging in my tub facing each other, and he was rubbing the ache out of my feet from a particularly busy night working the back bar. When he kissed the top of my foot before resuming his foot massage, I found myself telling him I loved him.
Before Eleazar could even respond in any way, I looked at him horrified while slapping my hand over my mouth. Eleazar gently pried my hand away, which caused me to shake my head, “Jesus Christ, NO! This is not what we agreed to. No strings. I remember saying that.”
Eleazar pulled me to him before wrapping his arms around me, then said softly, “I’m not Edward, Bella… and I’ve already asked you more than a dozen times to let me turn you. No, I’ve not said those words aloud, for fear of you running for the hills, but I have loved you deeply for more than 6 months now. Unlike him, I can clearly picture a forever with you by my side. I want it so much I can almost taste it… but I will take whatever little bits of you that you’ll share with me and be grateful for them.”
He looked completely serious. I turned his words over in my head for a full minute or more before I whispered, “You love me… and you didn’t tell me because of me wanting to keep things casual? And you really want to turn me? You’ve only ever asked me when I was sick or hurting. I thought…”
He shook his head, “I hated seeing you suffer, Bella, but my main motivation has always been wanting us to spend our lives together. I would claim you as my mate and turn you tonight, if you would only say the word.”
Without realizing it, I started voicing my thoughts in a soft whisper. “It couldn’t be tonight. There’s too much to square away. I’m supposed to sign a new year-long lease agreement for Tony next week, though. Crap, that doesn’t give Murphy any time to get a new waitress in and trained.”
Eleazar kissed my lips softly, then said, “So you tell Tony you found another house a bit closer to the state park, and you move in with me. You’ll only be a 10-minute drive from the tavern. That will give Murphy time to hire another girl, and if need be, for you to train her.”
I nodded, then looked down at the newest set of fingerprints adorning the top of my bare breast. Eleazar brushed his thumb against the fingerprints, then kissed the spot softly before breathing against my skin, “No, they won’t be there as a physical reminder after your turning, but I can’t wait to show you the full depths of my passion for you, Bella. I have thought about that aspect more than once.”
His smirk let me know he’d thought about it quite a bit, so I chuckled, “I like the reminder, but I won’t miss needing to buy tons of wire-free bras.”
His eyes filled with venom as he cupped my face in his hands, “You’ll truly consider letting me turn you? Tell me I don’t have to hide how I truly feel about you, that I can love you fully without limits, Isabella.”
I pressed my lips to his once, let out a stuttered breath, then whispered, “Falling in love with you was so easy that I didn’t even notice it happening. As long as loving me includes helping me figure out a plan for my father, you can love me as limitlessly as you feel capable of.”
He chuckled as his forehead rested against mine, “I think I can handle that, Bella.”
That night, my vampire lover truly showed me that our passion wouldn’t be doused by our feelings for each other.
His eyes widened momentarily, then he whispered back, “Shall I go get you one without wires from your drawers? Either that, or you could just remove the wires from the one you are wearing.”
I felt like facepalming. Of course. The solution was so simple it had completely eluded me. I chuckled then assured him, “I didn’t think of that… and I don’t have any without wires. I’m up for dinner break in a few minutes, so I’ll deal with it then.”
Our whole conversation lasted less than a minute, so it didn’t seem off for him to finally answer my original question. “Black coffee, please.”
I smiled genuinely this time, “To-go cup?”
He grinned, “Yes, please.”
When I reached the coffee, Mindy stopped by, “I see you have Eleazar Castellón again.”
I nearly choked on my tongue, “Who?”
She repeated slowly, “Eleazar Castellón. Mr. silent but sexy.”
I quickly shook my head and tried to hide my sudden panic about finding out who my vampire lover was. “Oh, yeah. Mr. Newspaper. I never caught his name the other day.”
With a smile, I turned to take him his coffee but saw him watching me carefully. I sat his drink down in front of him, whispering seriously, “No explanations. I don’t need to know why you aren’t in Alaska right now. The only thing I need to know is if I was told the truth about you being mated.”
He scowled but looked directly into my eyes as he promised me, “If you were told I was mated, you were lied to. Carmen and I may have been lovers for nearly the last 50 years, but she found her mate a couple of years ago. Bella, I swear to you I’m not mated.”
I nodded while letting out a heavy breath, then heard Murphy trying to catch my attention. I turned my head, saw him tapping his watch, and nodded before turning back to Eleazar. “I’ll leave you to it, Sir. Enjoy your coffee.” I gave him a small smile, then headed toward the employee lounge.
Once in the connected ladies bathroom, I quickly pulled my sleeveless top over my head, ripped my bra off, then tried to finagle the wires out. It took me a good few minutes, but I was much more comfortable once those damn wires were removed.
That taken care of, I replaced my top, straightened myself out, and headed to the kitchen. Murphy was there finishing up a plate when I walked in. He eyed me before saying, “I was about to remind you of your words to me Saturday night.”
I chuckled, “No tongue lashing needed, Sir. I just needed the little girl’s room before sitting down to eat.”
He handed me the plate, “Good. Now eat. Is there something I should know about?”
When I looked up from my food, Murphy was staring at a small round bruise on my shoulder… a passionate fingerprint. I chuckled, not moving to cover it up, “That? That’s my shampoo bottle’s attempt to tell me the shelf thing wasn’t stable. I have one of those adjustable corner shower things, and I guess I didn’t get the shelf stabilizer tightened. Scared the crap out of me when it hit me out of nowhere, but it’s nothing to worry about. Thanks for checking, though.”
He nodded once after looking at me for a full 30 seconds, then pointed to my plate. “Eat, Swan.”
I smiled, “Yes, Sir.”
When I returned to the front of the house, I let Mindy know I was back, then sent a small smile toward Eleazar as he looked at me over top of his paper. He changed the angle he was reading at just long enough for me to catch his return smile.
~~~~~
Over the next year, things slowly changed. Though the passion was neverending between us, we became comfortable with each other outside the bedroom, and slowly began opening up to each other. It was such a gradual and easy thing, that I was completely caught off guard one night.
We had been lounging in my tub facing each other, and he was rubbing the ache out of my feet from a particularly busy night working the back bar. When he kissed the top of my foot before resuming his foot massage, I found myself telling him I loved him.
Before Eleazar could even respond in any way, I looked at him horrified while slapping my hand over my mouth. Eleazar gently pried my hand away, which caused me to shake my head, “Jesus Christ, NO! This is not what we agreed to. No strings. I remember saying that.”
Eleazar pulled me to him before wrapping his arms around me, then said softly, “I’m not Edward, Bella… and I’ve already asked you more than a dozen times to let me turn you. No, I’ve not said those words aloud, for fear of you running for the hills, but I have loved you deeply for more than 6 months now. Unlike him, I can clearly picture a forever with you by my side. I want it so much I can almost taste it… but I will take whatever little bits of you that you’ll share with me and be grateful for them.”
He looked completely serious. I turned his words over in my head for a full minute or more before I whispered, “You love me… and you didn’t tell me because of me wanting to keep things casual? And you really want to turn me? You’ve only ever asked me when I was sick or hurting. I thought…”
He shook his head, “I hated seeing you suffer, Bella, but my main motivation has always been wanting us to spend our lives together. I would claim you as my mate and turn you tonight, if you would only say the word.”
Without realizing it, I started voicing my thoughts in a soft whisper. “It couldn’t be tonight. There’s too much to square away. I’m supposed to sign a new year-long lease agreement for Tony next week, though. Crap, that doesn’t give Murphy any time to get a new waitress in and trained.”
Eleazar kissed my lips softly, then said, “So you tell Tony you found another house a bit closer to the state park, and you move in with me. You’ll only be a 10-minute drive from the tavern. That will give Murphy time to hire another girl, and if need be, for you to train her.”
I nodded, then looked down at the newest set of fingerprints adorning the top of my bare breast. Eleazar brushed his thumb against the fingerprints, then kissed the spot softly before breathing against my skin, “No, they won’t be there as a physical reminder after your turning, but I can’t wait to show you the full depths of my passion for you, Bella. I have thought about that aspect more than once.”
His smirk let me know he’d thought about it quite a bit, so I chuckled, “I like the reminder, but I won’t miss needing to buy tons of wire-free bras.”
His eyes filled with venom as he cupped my face in his hands, “You’ll truly consider letting me turn you? Tell me I don’t have to hide how I truly feel about you, that I can love you fully without limits, Isabella.”
I pressed my lips to his once, let out a stuttered breath, then whispered, “Falling in love with you was so easy that I didn’t even notice it happening. As long as loving me includes helping me figure out a plan for my father, you can love me as limitlessly as you feel capable of.”
He chuckled as his forehead rested against mine, “I think I can handle that, Bella.”
That night, my vampire lover truly showed me that our passion wouldn’t be doused by our feelings for each other.
It was exactly 3 months later that I gave up Eleazar’s fingerprints for eternity by his side. After claiming me during a final lovemaking, Eleazar bit my breast above my heart to start my turning. He promised that even though it wasn’t his fingerprints, I would always have that mark and my mate mark as proof of his neverending passion for me.
Though I sometimes did miss his fingerprints on my flesh during the first months, Eleazar often traced or kissed my mate mark. It helped me not miss those passionate fingerprints, and I was eager for our eternity together.
~Fin~
Though I sometimes did miss his fingerprints on my flesh during the first months, Eleazar often traced or kissed my mate mark. It helped me not miss those passionate fingerprints, and I was eager for our eternity together.
~Fin~