Page 2 of The Blood Rose

"Not yet, but there is hope." Dean was starting to feel ready for a night out. "Let's do this."

Dean and Ashley entered the Blood Rose just after nine, and the place was everything Dean had hoped it would be. It was dangerous, which was obvious by the tattooed, muscled, leather-clad doorman and the dark, smokey atmosphere. It was perfect and a bit scary.

“The goal is we both find company for the night, and we call each other tomorrow. Deal?”

"Deal," Dean responded hesitantly.

"You're not second-guessing yourself, are you?" Ashley began to chastise. "I guarantee you that spending a night with a guy from this place will chase every other thought from your mind."

“You’ve done this before?”

“After Jake and I broke up, I was down here every Friday. It only took one night to completely forget that bastard and get hooked on the sex appeal of this place. A lot of the guys here are like Jake, so keep that in mind.” Ashley warned and walked up to the bar, and Dean followed.

She ordered a whiskey and coke and moved aside when a tall man in dark jeans and studs came up beside her. She glanced over at Dean, letting him know she was heading off with this guy and that Dean was now on his own. He nodded back, wishing her well.

A knot suddenly tied in his stomach, and he began to think perhaps he was in over his head. The place was dark and ominous and definitely threatening, and his heart was starting to pound. He should probably leave before he embarrassed himself.

“What will you have, gorgeous?” The voice came at him from the dimly lit bar. He looked up and locked eyes with the bartender and Dean nearly gasped at the sheer handsomeness of the man.

He was leather clad with plenty of tan, glistening skin showing. His muscles were covered in tattoos, such a smorgasbord of beauty. His hair black as the night hung down to his shoulders and everything about him was sensual and erotic. He probably saw a lot of action and most likely had the pick of the room.

A small grin was forming as he continued to stare at the man, so he pulled himself out of the sexual stupor he was in and ordered a gin and tonic. Dean was feeling self-conscious and awkward and waited nervously for the bartender to hand him his drink.

“There you go, babe.” He said and handed him the drink. Dean handed him a twenty and he waved him off. “On the house, beautiful.” He told him and then turned to serve another customer. Dean missed his undivided attention it was almost like a cold wind had blown in when he lost the heat from those lovely dark eyes. The endearments were appreciated but he most likely used them on everyone.

He took his drink and turned toward the room, putting his back against the bar. There were a lot of people there, although the place was mostly plunged into darkness, with only a few faint lamps to light the way. It was different, and even though he was a little unnerved, he wasn't ready to leave . . . yet.

A man came up to him and was about to speak but then suddenly looked beyond Dean to someone or something behind him and abruptly apologized and left. Dean looked back over his shoulder to see what the issue was, and the bartender was standing there staring at him with eyes that seemed to penetrate his very soul.

CHAPTER TWO

The man was an absolute vision of perfection. Drakon could not take his eyes off the delicate human with the gorgeous blonde hair and the sad, soulful eyes. The moment he spoke and the moment their hands touched, Drakon knew him completely. This was his beloved; he was so nervous and worried and feeling out of his depth but not ready to leave. This man knew that there was something here for him. He felt it, but he just didn't understand it yet.

Spence came up to try his luck with the adorable little human but got the message to back off when he was met with Drakon’s deadly countenance. Spence was a clever soldier, but he wasn’t in the mood to take on Drakon in a crowded bar. Besides, there were plenty of other possibilities. The Blood Rose was full of lively men tonight.

“Dean," Drakon said his name, and the beauty looked surprised.

“How do you know my name?” His voice was sweet and hesitant and everything Drakon looked for in a lover. He was a gentle and pleasing young man and Drakon felt his body start to react to his presence.

"I heard your friend use it," Drakon explained while training his gaze to capture those soft blue eyes. Once he held him, Dean would not escape, for a vampire's glamour was riveting and beguiling. He wasn’t being completely fair with his young one, but he could not risk having him disappear into the throngs of people or lose him in the darkness of the night.

“Oh.” He answered timidly. His eyes were burning with a desire that mirrored Drakon's, even as his lips trembled with worry and uncertainty.

“My name is Drakon O’Hare.” He told him and Dean nodded. Drakon held out his hand to him beckoning him closer and Dean did not hesitate this time. He moved in and took the offered hand. Drakon took control pulling him in and raising the hand so as to place a warm, moist kiss to the knuckles and then he flipped the hand to press his lips to the heated palm. Dean’s eyes blew wide, and a soft moan escaped his lips. The message was received.

"Come with me," Drakon said as he leaped over the bar and took Dean into his arms. Dean’s mouth dropped open as if he were about to refuse, but he didn’t. He held fast to Dracon’s hand and eagerly followed into the back of the bar into the dark. Dracon stopped and pressed him against the wall, holding him there with the pressure of his own body.

No words were spoken, but his eyes said everything Drakon needed to know. He was ready, and he was shaking, but it was with excitement. Drakon went in for the kiss, taking his lips and plundering their soft fullness. Dean’s body was reacting, and Drakon felt the growing thickness pressed to his thigh. He couldn't resist, so he slid his hand down and took him in hand.

Dean's jeans were in the way, but still, the thrill was not lost, and Dean clearly enjoyed the caress. He caught his breath and then began to pant and reached for Drakon, gripping his waist and grinding his thickness into Drakon's palm. It was time to take this elsewhere. He stepped back to Dean's obvious dismay and took his hand. “My place.” He whispered and they headed out the back door.

Dean was completely swept away by Drakon the handsome bartender. They shared but a handful of words and here he was heading out the door with him. He didn’t know where they were going or what would ultimately be expected of him, and he didn’t care. The minute that their eyes met and locked it was over for Dean. He would do anything necessary to stay close to this man.

He kept his eye riveted on his hard body and that amazing-looking ass. The leather was impeccable and hugged and cradled in all the right places. Drakon was an absolute god. The leather pants were laced up on the sides, and some of Drakon's flesh was visible. All Dean wanted to do was reach out and touch to sample and explore that gorgeous body.

They entered a large building that sat across the alleyway from the bar and looked like a warehouse from the outside but once through the doors it looked like an imposing, grand residence. It was spectacular and Dean wondered if he might be hallucinating. They went up the grand staircase to the second floor and Drakon rushed them down a hallway filled with lush velvets and rich wood to a set of large double doors.

“Where are we?” Dean found that he was breathless with the pent up anticipation of what was to come.

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