A Taste of Desire

The night air in Washington, D.C. carried a chill that crept under William’s skin despite his centuries of resilience. The city bustled with life, even at this hour, as it always did. Neon lights flickered in the distance, casting shadows across the National Mall, where tourists wandered with tired feet and waning excitement. William lingered near the Smithsonian museums, blending in effortlessly with the passing crowds. To them, he was just another night owl exploring the capital’s history under the cover of darkness.

But for William, tonight was not about history. It was about hunger. A hunger that had plagued him for nearly a millennium. It clawed at him now, making his veins ache and his senses sharpen. After nearly a thousand years, he had grown accustomed to the constant longing, but it never grew easier to endure.

He was a vampire, forever frozen at the age of 29—the age he had been when the curse took hold of him. Now, with his dark hair, high cheekbones, and striking blue eyes, he still looked every bit the charming young man he had been all those centuries ago. But behind that youthful visage was a mind that had witnessed empires rise and fall, and a heart that had long since learned to grow cold.

William was considering which unsuspecting soul would make the most satisfying meal when a scent caught his attention. It was faint at first, just a wisp of something sweet in the air, but as he inhaled more deeply, it became a tantalizing bouquet that made his mouth water. His gaze darted across the square, searching for the source of the intoxicating aroma, and then he saw her.

She was standing by a statue near the National Gallery of Art, her back to him as she admired the illuminated facade of the building. Her hair cascaded in soft waves down her back, gleaming golden under the streetlights. She wore a dark coat that emphasized the paleness of her skin and revealed slender legs that drew the eye upward to a delicate, elegant figure.

William’s breath hitched. She was beautiful—exquisitely so—and he could sense the warmth of her life pulsing through her veins even from this distance. He stepped closer, weaving his way through the sparse crowd, each step bringing him nearer to the irresistible scent that poured from her like nectar.

When he was close enough, he could see the curve of her neck, the smooth line of her throat. His fangs ached to sink into that tender flesh and taste the rich blood that awaited him. But he did not strike. He was old enough to have learned restraint, even when it came to such temptation. He considered using his powers to compel her, to bend her will so she would offer herself freely to him, as he had done countless times before. But something about her made him hesitate.

She turned then, as if sensing his presence. Her gaze locked onto his, and he found himself staring into the brightest green eyes he had ever seen. They sparkled with curiosity, framed by long, dark lashes, and her lips curved into a soft smile.

“Admiring the art, too?” she asked. Her voice was smooth and melodic, with a hint of humor in it. “Or are you just here to stare at pretty girls?”

William chuckled, charmed by the unexpected directness in her tone. “A little bit of both, I suppose,” he replied, allowing himself to move closer. “The art is magnificent, but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t noticed you.”

She raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. “I see. Well, I don’t mind being admired.” She offered her hand. “I’m Michelle.”

“William,” he said, taking her hand. Her skin was warm against his, and he had to fight the urge to bring her wrist to his lips and taste the pulse that thrummed there. He could feel the heat of her blood, its life, its richness. His hunger surged again, but he managed to keep his voice steady. “Pleasure to meet you, Michelle.”

“Likewise.” Her gaze lingered on him, almost as if she sensed there was more to him than met the eye. There was a flicker of something in her expression—curiosity, perhaps, or maybe even suspicion. “You don’t seem like the usual late-night museum crowd.”

William hesitated. The right thing to do would have been to make his excuses, compel her to forget their encounter, and find someone else to sate his hunger. It was dangerous to let anyone get too close, especially mortals. But something about Michelle made him want to break all the rules.

So, against his better judgment, he leaned in, lowering his voice. “What if I told you I wasn’t just here for the art?”

“Then what are you here for?” she asked, a playful challenge in her eyes.

William met her gaze, his blue eyes darkening as he allowed a hint of his true nature to seep into his voice. “Michelle… I’m not like most people you’ve met. In fact, I’m not like any of them. I’m a vampire.”

For a moment, there was silence. Then she laughed—a soft, silvery sound that lit up the night. “A vampire, huh? Are you serious?”

“I am,” he replied. “Very serious.” He took a step closer, close enough that he could feel the heat radiating from her body. “And I’m hungry, Michelle. I want to taste you.” His eyes flicked to the curve of her neck again. “I could compel you, make you offer yourself to me without hesitation… but I’d rather you say yes of your own free will.”

The humor faded from her expression, replaced by a look of contemplation. Her heart began to beat faster; he could hear it drumming in her chest. Yet there was no fear in her eyes. If anything, she looked intrigued—fascinated, even.

To William’s utter surprise, she nodded. “Yes,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. “You can… bite me.”

For a moment, he was frozen with shock. In all his years, he had never met someone who would so willingly offer themselves to him, without compulsion, without hesitation. It was always the allure of his powers that seduced them into submission. But Michelle had chosen him, consciously and freely.

He glanced around, noting the nearby tourists and the dim lights of the street. “Not here,” he said, his voice low and firm. “Come with me.”

Michelle nodded, and he took her hand, guiding her away from the bright lights of the Mall and into a nearby garden nestled between the museums. It was quieter here, with tall trees casting long shadows across the cobblestone path and only the faint hum of the city in the background. A secluded spot lay ahead, where an old bench sat beneath a willow tree. There, they would be hidden from prying eyes.

When they reached the bench, William turned to Michelle, his hand still clasping hers. Her pulse fluttered beneath his fingers, and he leaned in, inhaling the intoxicating scent of her skin. “You won’t regret this,” he whispered, his breath warm against her flesh. And then he sank his fangs into her.

Her blood surged into his mouth, thick and sweet, richer than anything he had tasted in centuries. It was ambrosia, a heady elixir that made his whole body come alive with an intensity he had nearly forgotten. He drank deeply, savoring each mouthful as though it were the first, feeling the power of her life flood into him.

Michelle moaned softly, and he realized with a start that she was enjoying it, too. Her hands gripped his shoulders, pulling him closer as though she couldn’t get enough of the sensation. She wasn’t just a willing participant; she was savoring the moment, relishing the bite, the connection, the intimacy of it.

William drew back slowly, his lips stained with her blood. He gazed at her, seeing the flush of color in her cheeks, the hazy look of pleasure in her eyes. “You… enjoyed that,” he murmured, more to himself than to her.

Michelle nodded, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “I did,” she admitted. “More than I thought I would.”

William found himself smiling, something he had not done sincerely in a very long time. “You’re an unusual woman, Michelle.”

“And you’re an unusual vampire,” she replied, still breathless from the bite. “What now?”

For the first time in centuries, William didn’t know what to do. He had expected to feed, compel her to forget, and move on. But Michelle had changed the game. And he wasn’t sure he wanted to go back to the way things had always been.

“Now,” he said slowly, “I think we see where this goes.”