Vincent settled back against the headboard and rubbed his eyes, his strength returning. This was when he missed her the most. Not so much her anymore, but the intimacy of a wife. He longed for the quiet conversations late in the night. The warm companionship that two people bound to each other had. Dreams of the future. Plans for their life. It was such a simple thing--finding someone to share your life--yet it wasn't easily done. The search for that special someone was something he had vowed never to do again, but he was lonely. Desperately, achingly lonely.

A moan drew his attention back to the blonde sprawled over the redhead in sated abandon. He didn't know their names--they hadn't offered them and he hadn't asked. They had approached him in the lounge and invited him up for a drink. Their type held little appeal to him. He wanted more from a mortal than a woman who was willing to take a total stranger to her room for a quick roll in the hay.... But this type did keep him fed and healthy. He ran his hand over the blonde and pulled her up to his lips. He paused long enough to slip into her dreams--to enhance them until she moaned. The woman lifted her chin, seeking more of him. As his fangs sank into her throat, the phantom lover in the woman's dream took her to magical heights of passion.

Vincent left the room quietly, leaving the women tangled together on the bed. When they woke in the morning, they would have no recollection of him being there. They would assume their weakness was due to a hangover.

He stopped in the lobby when he spotted Sarah behind the desk. She looked up and smiled softly. Adoration shone in her eyes as she gazed at him. He walked around the desk and lowered his head to kiss her gently below the ear. "Tend to them in the morning."

"Yes Master, don't I always?" she whispered. Sarah pulled her auburn hair over her ear to allow him access to her throat. She knew he would not feed from her, but enjoyed the sensual caress of his lips. Though she loved Jeff, part of her always melted under Vincent's touch.

"Yes you always do." He nuzzled her hair. Her soft scent helped cleanse the odor of the cloying perfume the girls wore. "You and Jeff have done very well on the resort. Shall I reward you?" His lips brushed over her soft skin. He smiled when he heard her sharp intake of breath.

Sarah looked up at him longingly.

He smiled down at her and nodded towards the office. She quickly went to the door and entered. He followed her in and closed the door behind him. He gave her a smile of approval when she knelt in the center of the room to face him. He walked to her and caressed her cheek as she gazed up at him.

She trembled beneath his touch. With his other hand he reached into his pocket and withdrew a small ornamental dagger. He held it out to her and Sarah's fingers trembled as she slipped the small sheath off. She took his hand from her cheek and looked up once more with the small blade posed over his finger. At his nod, she cut quickly and sucked the finger into her warm mouth, curling her tongue around it. He moved deeper into her warmth with a low groan of pleasure. "Good ... girl.... "he whispered.

He sensed Jeff's approach outside the office and called to him telepathically.

Jeff entered without knocking and stood quietly just inside the door. His breathing became labored as he watched his wife feeding. The fine lines that had formed on her face were melting away. She glowed with the vitality of youth, as he always pictured her in his dreams.

He walked around and stood before his master; for a moment, their eyes met. Vincent's eyes simmered with the lust that came from feeding his ghouls. He nodded. Jeff knelt beside Sarah and took the dagger she still held as Vincent offered his wrist. He cut cleanly and leaned close to take the offering from his master. Vincent's head fell back as they both drank from him. The rush of power and lust mingled together to cloud his mind.

He had first met them over forty years ago. Two young people fresh off the boat from Europe, looking for a better life. They had been swindled out of their life savings and faced a cold New York winter with nothing except each other.

Vincent had wanted Sarah. He had almost taken her as his own mortal mate, but her love for Jeff was strong. He knew she would never be truly happy with him. So he made them an offer, and they had accepted of their own free will. He had given them immortality in exchange for their devotion. He was fond of both. They had become more than slaves--they were his family.

Vincent opened his eyes. His long dark hair fell forward as he watched Sarah's lips and felt the warmth of her tongue. He slowly withdrew and smiled at her whimper. Her cheeks were flushed with the passion of his blood, now coursing through her veins. His blood would maintain them for many months and keep them from aging--or leaving. He pulled his wrist from Jeff and stepped back.

Sarah turned her fevered gaze to Jeff, who did not need any encouragement. He leaned into her, his large form pinning her to the floor as he pulled at her clothes. Vincent watched silently. The heated passion filled the room and mixed with their love for each other. The scene was primal, but both sensual and beautiful. He thought of the two women and the lovemaking he had witnessed earlier. It was ugly compared to Jeff and Sarah. It also made him ache for the love he had lost.

Vincent left the office just as Sarah cried out in passion. A customer walking by turned to give him a strange look. "She liked her birthday present," Vincent offered.

Sarah eased her grip in Jeff's hair. She moaned softly as he rained kisses on her neck. Both were coated with a sheen of sweat. Their lovemaking was always sweet and tender, but on the occasions when they fed from Vincent, it became intense, almost frantic.

"I love you," Jeff groaned in her ear, not wanting to leave her yet.

Sarah smiled and lifted his head so she could see him. His golden-brown hair was dark with sweat. She brushed the back of her fingers on his neatly-trimmed beard. She whispered the words she always said to him. "I will love you forever."

"He was happy with everything," she beamed.

"As I said he would be." Jeff laughed, finally rolling off her to his back. We have worked hard. How many could make a replica of Highcliffe Castle in Europe? The only thing missing is the view of the Isle of Wight and Christchurch Bay. Then modify it to be a world class ski resort in the winter and a hikers' paradise in the summer? Your decorating skills and my accounting and research abilities make us the perfect team for the project. It was your idea to make Vincent's home another replica. I think he's really pleased you chose Altdobern Castle. He lived in the real one for a time while in Europe."

"I know, he often mentioned it. I think it gives the valley, with its crystal-blue lake and high jagged mountains, a fairytale-like ambiance. I was worried I was thinking too romantically."

"You worry too much, my love."

She sat up. "I know, but he wanted everything perfect. Hopefully, he can find the peace he yearns for. He has known so much pain. I wish he could find another. He's been alone far too long. It's been ten years since Selenia died."

"You know he doesn't like you playing matchmaker, Sarah."

"I know, but don't you think it's time?"

He pulled her back down to him. "He's worried about the hunters." Jeff sighed. "He has lost so many friends and lovers to the hunters. I think his love life is something he has to work out himself."

"Well ... maybe I can help." She gave him a mischievous grin and tapped his nose with her finger.

Jeff looked at her suspiciously. "What are you up to?"

"Oh ... you'll see." She quickly got to her feet and bounced out of his reach.

Jeff laced his fingers behind his head and admired her lithe body as she flaunted it for him. He never tired of gazing at her. It seemed just yesterday that they were in Europe and he had seen her in that field of flowers. He had taken her back to that same field a few years later. He had laid her down and claimed her, with only God as a witness to their love. He vowed to her that day that he would never leave her. He would spend his life ensuring she was happy. When Vincent had offered him eternity to do just that, he had not hesitated. In many ways, she still managed to surprise him.

Other times, like now, he knew she was up to something. "Going to let me in on the secret?"

Sarah smiled smugly and stepped over him so she straddled him. She could see passion flicker in his eyes when she let him get a good view of her body. "Remember? Vincent said he wanted to hire a lawyer?"

"Hmm ... yes. I remember," Jeff murmured, distracted. He slid his hands up the back of her legs and tugged her behind the knees to bring her down.

"Well, I have chosen three for him to pick from." She knelt over him. "They are the very best available."

His eyes never left her body. "And?" His hands moved up over her hips to her small waist.

Her grin grew wider. "They're all women."

Jeff pulled her down onto him with a groan. "You are so bad." He kissed her throat when her head fell back, and passion swept the conversation from their minds.