His way: Closed Thread

[The_gladiator]

His eyes widened at her stomach’s growl. He lifted an eyebrow. Then, rather than being irritated at the noise, or her laughter a slow smirk slid onto his lips. “I knew you would want more than just that rabbit food. Not to mention I took from you. The intercom is still on the wall just outside the bathroom. Page Anton and tell him what you would like.”

He slipped past her to head into his bedroom to find something to wear. He settled on a robe. He thought about another suit, he had work to do, but he could sense that she was tired, and he wanted to spend some time with her. The business would wait. He began to brush out his hair as he listened to her order her food. “Meat be sure you have some meat this time,” he ordered her, loud enough that Anton would hear it through the phone as well even if she didn’t order anything meaty.

His eyes watched her. He was fascinated by her simple movements as she paced back and forth on the phone with the chef. Apparently, they were arguing about what each of them thought an appropriate meal. Anton believed that Marina was too skinny and he was determined to fatten her up. She had not picked out anything to wear so stood there turning back and forth as she argued in just the towel that even now was slipping away.

Standing again he went to the tall wardrobe and pulled out on of her long silken night gowns. He handed it to her, not interrupting her conversation, the gesture a silent order on what he thought she should wear to bed. The options when he did such a thing were to wear what he picked out, or sleep naked, her choice.

 

[BlueCollarGirl]

Marina scowled as Anton didn't listen to her. "I know what Andre said. I was standing right here when he said it." She turned her frown towards Andre, whose eyes followed her as she paced. She just shook her head as her stomach panged her again. "I just want a sandwich, not a three-course meal. Turkey, cheese, lettuce, mayo. That's all."

When Anton finally agreed, she sighed and looked at the gown she had been handed. It was a deep purple silk, one that almost matched the panties she'd been wearing earlier. She let her fingers play over the luxurious fabric, remembering how shocked she was the first time he had gifted her one like this. He insisted on giving her expensive things as this, but all she wanted was his attention. He gave her plenty of that, too.

But attention wasn't what she wanted now, anymore than she wanted his money. She wanted her freedom. She craved her own place and money and job. Those were things she doubted Andre was willing to give her. That made the soft gown chafe as she slid it over her head. One more link the pretty chain around her cage.

She finally brushed out her hair, shaking it out to help it dry faster. As she retrieved her panties from the bathroom, her food arrived. Andre closed the door after taking the sandwich from Anton just as she returned. He also held a large glass filled with water. Marina sat at the table in the corner, and he set the plate and glass before her.

"Thank you," she offered as she picked up half the sandwich. He insisted on courtesy, even with the smallest things. As she took a bite, she considered how best to approach what she wanted to say without antagonizing him. "Andre," she began, then paused, uncertain. She worried what she said might make him lock her down more. "Andre, I need more independence. I want a job, and a place of my own. I need...," she stumbled, unable to say that what she needed was a life for when she finally pushed him too far and replaced her. Her mind flitted passed the notion he might just kill her instead of letting her go, but she couldn’t dwell on that right now. "I need that to be happy."

 

[The_gladiator]

Andre smirked just a bit as he watched her argue with Anton. She seemed to have won the argument and when it arrived, he took the plat and glass from the cook. He gave him a firm nod and closed the door as he turned back. Carrying her food to the table he set it down. “You are welcome,” he responded to her thanks.

He sat on the edge of the large bead near her, half lounging on a pile of pillows, hooded eyes watching her eat with her impeccable manners. That fact pleased him.

He listened as she started to speak. “I will agree you need a job, clearly you have too much time on your hands, if you could contemplate leaving me like that.” He seemed to consider. “I am looking for a manager of the casino. Unfortunately, the last one was fired, abruptly for betraying me.” He almost smirked at his own humor. Kyle had served in that role. “Do you think you could be more loyal than he was?” he asked sitting up a bit, leaning forward towards her.

“I can’t say that I’ll agree to you living separate though, happiness or not.”

 

[BlueCollarGirl]

The sandwich was, for something so simple, surprisingly delicious. Anton had baked the bread himself, and probably made his own mayo. The turkey wasn't deli meat but slices off an actual cooked turkey. Andre might not eat such fresh fare, but he made sure his staff had excellent meals. In that moment, Marina could not have been more grateful for that.

Mid-chew, though, Andre dropped a bomb on her about taking over the casino. The food in her mouth lost its flavor, and she nearly choked. Her eyes glared at his lounging form as she washed the bite down with the water. Guilt rushed across her face when he mentioned loyalty. She had gotten Kyle killed, now she would take his job?

She set down the last two bites of the sandwich half, no longer hungry. Oh yes, she "needed" a job. His solution was a job that tied her even more tightly to him. One where he could keep an eye on her all night, and then drag her home every morning to this...this tomb with him. And of course he shot down her own place. She would have to find a way to sneak away when she could.

"I'll consider the casino offer," she finally responded, her voice tight and cool, as she pushed the plate away. "And please just think about my own place. Even just a night or two on my own would help me."

 

[The_gladiator]

He watched the flit of emotions across her face. First the simple pleasure of the food. Then the anger and disgust and shame when he obliquely mentioned Kyle. She stopped eating, looking a little green around the gills as it were. “I think you’d be good at the job. Didn’t you manage hotels? The casino has a hotel, and even a spa. I think there’s lots to occupy you.”

He seemed to consider. “Why do you want your own place. So, you can entertain other gentleman callers?” he asked. His eyes hardened. “Looking to replace me so soon?” He caught her around the back of the neck and pulled her against him, standing her between his spread legs where he sat. “I assure you; no one can equal what I give you.” He could feel her hair against his hand as he held her close. He ran his other hand over her back, the caresses of that hand contrasting with the grip of iron on the back of her neck.

 

[BlueCollarGirl]

Andre's touch cut through her pique. He wasn't understanding that her hesitation wasn't because of the work but because of him. If she worked at the casino or hotel or bar or spa or any other place he owned, she would be giving him more access to her, just another layer of control. But those worries fled when he hauled her up by the scruff of her neck to him.

Irritation and something else she couldn't name rained on her as he held her there. She couldn't help but snort. "What could another man give me? You mean besides normalcy and a distinctive lack of terror on a daily basis?" She rolled her eyes. "I don't need more men in my life, Andre. I need my life back."

Her face softened. "I care for you. I might even love you." She knew she had, at least, up until that night. She didn't know what she felt right then. "But you've consumed everything in my life, but you give me so little of yourself." She placed her hand on his cheek. "I don't need your money or job or fancy clothes. Who are you? What do you want from me, other than everything?"

 

[The_gladiator]

He wanted to smack her. Gave her nothing of himself? He gave her money, time, what more did she want. He gritted his teeth. “Is that all I am is terror to you? I take care of you, provide you the best things money can buy, nothing is ever enough for you. I am not enough for you.” It was clear that he had been at least to a degree stung by her words.

“I want you, there is something that calls me to you. There is a possibility that you could be converted, you might be able to join me forever as my bonded partner after conversion.” There was a light in his eyes. “For centuries I have looked for one like you, the females of my race are few, and there are some like me who have instead of trying to compete with them have indevoured to find a human woman to convert.”

“If I could go back in time and make it so you could not witness what I did I would. However, neither of us can hide from who and what I am.” As he spoke, he moved onto the bed, tugging her wrist urging her to lay down with him. “Come, you are tired.”

 

[BlueCollarGirl]

Despite her best intentions, Marina felt a sense of shame rising in her. Was she filled only with ingratitude? Her gaze wavered as his ire and scorn poured into her. She didn't want him to think she didn't appreciate anything he had given her, but she also had not asked for those things. What she wanted were those pieces of humanity he had left.

And when he mentioned "conversion", she tried not to focus on what that might mean. Instead she let herself hear the unfathomable loneliness in his voice pull at her. How awful it must be, those years stretching out in an eternity before him, with only tiny pockets of companionship to keep him sane. Yet the need to survive kept him going.

She let him pull her up onto the bed beside him. He enfolded her in his arms, and she tucked her head under his chin. Marina allowed herself to stroke his chest and arms. "Andre, I need you to understand something. I do appreciate the things you give me, but they're not necessarily things I want. I respect you, and I...I love you. But you make me feel as if I'm slipping away from myself. You have consumed so much of me."

When she pulled back to look him in the eye, he must've sensed that she was going to ask what he meant about the conversion. His eyes grew larger and larger and she realized too late what he was doing. "Sleep," he crooned.

"No, I..." Her eyes fluttered as she fought it but, helpless in this regard, succumbed to the command. She slept.

 

[The_gladiator]

Andre listened to her words. He said nothing. There really was nothing to say. He had a very strong personality; he knew this about himself. She was not telling him anything he did not know. Could he do it through? Could he give her some autonomy? He honestly did not know. He felt this urge to control her completely, partially as punishment for leaving, partially because that was his way. He wouldn’t admit to himself it might be out of fear of losing her.

He let his fingertips stroke down her hair as he enjoyed her touch. He would not voice it out loud but it touched something inside him to have her back in his arms. As she leaned up her eyes met his. He was not willing to unpack the questions she might have tonight. There was not enough time before dawn. He would sleep the sleep of the humans with her for these last hours before dawn, and then go into the sleep of his people. A state that ideally was like that of the dead. Where his breathing and heartbeat would stop to preserve energy.

As he met her eyes, he compelled her to sleep. In this she would obey him, obey his power. She would sleep because he willed it. Finally, she gave in and went under, and only then when Marina slept did Andre close his eyes and let his mind drift. His guard was not down, it never was, but it was as close as he ever got to relaxed.

 

[BlueCollarGirl]

Marina jerked awake, heart beating in her throat. Her fingers went to her neck but found her necklace missing. It was dark - too dark - and her adrenaline spiked. Shit, she hoped she had dreamed the entire night before, but even in the dead of night her room was not this lightless. She looked around until she saw the faint glow of the clock. It was 2 p.m.

She forced her breathing to slow as her ears strained for movement from Andre. This time of day, he was usually deep enough in his unnatural sleep that he wouldn't awaken, but that was before she had run. Could she sneak out of here without him stopping her?

Hands outstretched before her, she inched her way from the bed back to the bathroom. She found her clothes there, still in the pile where they'd been left, and grabbed her jeans. As she wiggled into them, her mind raced to devise a plan. Not one for just now, but for how to approach the next few days. If she managed to get away from here now, he would just hunt her again. Not knowing where she lived would not stop him, not now. But she couldn't just lay here, either, waiting for him to feed and fuck her. Not if she wanted things to change.

Once she was fully clothed, she grabbed her boots and, after a moment's hesitation, took them with her. Though she might stub her toes in the dark barefoot, she wanted to make the least amount of noise as she could. Now if she could just find her purse...

Damn it! She had left it in his car, which meant it was either still there, or one of his staff had brought it inside. There was no way she could grab it and be gone without someone knowing she had left. Did she have anything in there that spoke of her new address? She couldn't remember, but she would not put her roommate in danger by fleeing there, or anywhere else.

Still, she did not want to hang out down here in this...this tomb until the vampire awoke. No, she would go find the kitchen and reacquaint herself with Anton's daytime counterpart, Camille. She would make nice with the rest of the staff. They were loyal to Andre to a fault, so she knew she couldn't persuade one of them to side with her in this. But maybe, just maybe, she could rationalize a trip to pick up fresh clothes and her own toothbrush. It was worth a shot anyway.

She fumbled her way back out into the bedroom, a slow process but at least he hadn't done a significant rearrangement of furniture in her brief absence. After what felt like an hour, she got to the short stairway that led up to the door to the above. When she turned the handle, it didn't budge. Her frantic fingers felt across the face of the door, trying to find the latch that would release her, but she found nothing.

Looked like all her stealth was for naught. With frustrated tears slipping down her cheeks, she slid to the floor in the locked doorway. She tipped her head back against the door, arms on her knees, and waited for the monster to awaken for the evening.

 

[The_gladiator]

He rested. He was lost to the unnatural sleep of his people. His heart beat once or twice an hour, breathing imperceptible. He could have shut down completely but he did not want his brain to turn off fully. He did not trust her. He needed to know she was close.

Though he couldn’t move, his ears could hear, his mind could think. He was aware when she woke, he was aware of her trying to leave. Her frustration rolled off her in waves. He could not help but to sense it. He could not move, the sun was too high in the sky, but there were others that could come to her.

He sent his mind questing and touched his staff. He found Rosa, the assistant cook to Camille. He called her to come let Marina out, with the push to feed her. Not that Rosa would need encouragement to do that. The Hispanic woman very much took pleasure in having people try her food. Andre got the vision of Rosa and Camille making Tacos together. That was very good.

Marina had only sat on the step for a few minutes when the door pocketed into the wall. It being one of the new security features Andre had installed in the otherwise old house. It was controlled not with a handle that someone could force but control plates keyed to the palm prints of those Andre trusted. The machinery whirred and a wash of light spilled into the stairwell, stopping long before it reached Andre.

The dark-haired Rosa looked down at Marina from behind. “You are hungry?” she made it closer to a statement than a question. “Come, Camille has me making Tacos. The staff has requested that today. Though it is not always appropriate to give staff what they want, happy staff are productive staff. You will eat?” she asked frowning at Marina.

 

[BlueCollarGirl]

When the door behind her clicked, Marina had just enough time to keep from falling backwards before being momentarily blinded. As her eyes fluttered like moths in the light, she heard a familiar voice ask, "You are hungry?" She found Rosa looking down at her, face as full of concern as her voice. Marina smiled as the woman chatted about tacos. It felt homey.

Marina struggled up to her feet, shoes still in hand, as she moved out into the hall outside. Rose quickly shut the door, the lock clicking back into place. Now that she stood here, Marina spied a flat panel that she assumed opened the door, either by badge or hand. Had that always been there, and she just never noticed because she always left with him? She truly didn't know.

Rosa fussed a bit as she led Marina back through the house, though the latter remembered the way. It wasn't like she'd been gone for years, though in some ways it felt like it. When she had left, she had erased so many of her habits here with purpose and the intention of never returning. For all the good it did me, she grumbled to herself. The notion still crossed her mind to get to the door and flee as fast as her tender ankle would take her, but her stomach grumbled loud enough for Rosa to hear, and she hurried her back to the kitchen.

As this was just lunch, and the food was mostly for the staff, eating would not be a formal affair, which suited her just fine. That meant she could eat in the kitchen rather than the dining hall. Word had gotten around apparently that she had returned, for everyone stood around waiting for her to arrive. Conversation dipped for only a split second, but she noticed. She wondered how she seemed to this group of people. Andre was a good boss when he wasn't busy murdering his subordinates, but the staff never quite seemed to know where she stood in the mix of household things, as other women had not been long-term guests. Not to mention that they had to know she'd been the one to turn Kyle in. Did that act make her more or less trustworthy?

Whatever anyone else might think, Camille tutted as she brought Marina a plate of already made tacos. "It's lovely to see your face again, Miss Marina," she said with her sweet lilting accent. "I hope you still like these the same way." The soft shells were filled with strip steak, avocado, fresh salsa and cheese.

Although she would've preferred fish or chicken to the beef, Marina smiled graciously and accepted the plate. "Thank you, Camille. They look perfect." She found herself a quiet corner near the window and devoured the food. Her eyes followed the low hanging clouds as they drifted across the pale winter sky, wishing for birds other than crows in the barren trees. Even after everyone else had departed back to their chores, she sat there, longing for the outdoors.

She finally rose, body stiff, and wandered around the first floor. Anytime she got anywhere closed to the front or back door, one of the staff magically appeared to ask if she needed assistance with anything. As sundown approached, Manuel found her sitting in the window nook of the library, again staring out at the lake with longing. "Excuse me, lady Marina, but I believe you left this in the car last night." He held her purse out to her, too politic to mention that it was left in her failed escape attempt.

"Thank you," she murmured, wanting to dig through it to see if everything was still in place. But she wouldn't embarrass either of them that way. Instead, she asked, "How much longer until he's up?"

Manual put a kindly hand on her shoulder. "Not much longer, miss," he said before bowing his head and leaving her alone to brood as she waited for the sun to hide below the horizon for Andre to rise.

 

[The_gladiator]

The staff seemed determined to keep Marina inside and for her not to leave. Therefore, they were all happy when she settled in the window seat of the library. Manuel brought her the purse, but otherwise most did not bother her. The librarian/bookkeeper who did some accounting and other work for Andre poked his head out of his office briefly when she had entered but he did not come out of his domain to even say hello, just checking who was in the library. There were computers along one wall that staff could use, even laptops that staff could sign out. However, all of them seemed locked to Marina, needing a passcode or fingerprint that she did not have. She was not really a prisoner here, but her clearance, her trusted status seemed, if not revoked than on hold for now.

Deep below, where she had left Andre, eyes snapped open. He could not quite move yet, but the sun was low enough that he could rouse. She was gone, and then he remembered he had sent her up to get food. He reached out to the staff. He got the impression of her in the library from Manuel. He could be satisfied with that.

When the time was right, he rose. Cleaning himself and dressing in another of his immaculate suits, Andre headed up the steps, idly palming the panel to get out of his sub-basement.

Hunger beat at him and he needed to feed. He couldn’t take a full feeding from Marina he had to space feeding from her out. So, he called one of his staff. He did not have time to go hunt. He had to deal with Marina he did not have time to hunt.

Seth, one of the gardeners came to his call. The young man stood before Andre and tilted his head to the side willingly, a silent invitation to Andre. He took just what he needed, and no more than the strong young man could handle. Closing the pinpricks with a sweep of his tongue, Andre sent Seth to go get a meal heavy in protein from Camille, who would just be ending her shift. Anton would be just starting.

Andre stepped into the library on silent feet. “Have you eaten dinner?” he asked Marina without preamble as he rested his hands on her shoulders, where he stood behind her where she sat. “If you have not had dinner, you should.” He said as he began to massage her shoulders as he spoke. The warmth in his hands would tell her he’d already fed.

 

[BlueCollarGirl]

Though he was as silent as the grave, Marina felt it the moment he stepped into the room. His presence filled the space around him with an energy that set her heart to racing, from fear and desire. She hated that her pulse sped up; it only served to encourage him.

He rubbed her shoulders as he asked her about dinner. His hands were almost hot they were so warm, which meant he'd fed very recently. But she suspected that if he wanted her to eat it was because he wanted to drink from her again. Last night had been an aperitif, so today must be the hors d'oeuvres. Once she'd gotten used to being part of dinner again, she grumbled to herself, he'd make her the main course again.

"I ate lunch not that long ago," she said, tilting her head up to look him in the eye. It was a test for them both, that look. She dared him to push her right now, and he dared her to not look away. In the end, she broke first, her eyes darting away as she bowed her head.

"I'm not hungry," she added in a querulous voice. She was still annoyed and anxious from having been locked in his chamber this morning. And that she was still here, in his house. And that, even as badly as she wanted to run home, she wanted to stay here more.

Andre continued his massage, still wearing his implacable demeanor. With a sigh, she finally said, "Fine, I'll eat. Are you coming to the kitchen with me to make sure I actually do it?" Needling him felt like a bad idea but she couldn't help herself. She wanted to pretend she had a modicum of control, though she knew it to be a lie. She just couldn't help herself.

 

[The_gladiator]

He watched her. His eyes looked down into hers, refusing to blink, to look away. There was no hypnosis in them now, no glamor to cloud her mind. No, he relied only on his force of will.

Predictably she broke first. Though strong of will, he had centuries of control to draw upon. He listened as her story changed. First the not eating lunch recently, then not hungry to finally caving in and saying she would eat. As she spoke, he continued his massage of her shoulders. He could sense her tension and he did want her to relax some. She was his to take care of and he wanted her to get over her fear of him.

“Go to the kitchen with you I could. However, I wish to take you out. The Theater, perhaps. Dinner theater I am thinking. Will you go as my date, or should I get the leash and collar?” that last part was a joke, though, knowing Andre probably could be quite serious. There was no shadow of a doubt that he owned such things. The corners of his lips tilted in what passed for a smile for him most of the time.