His claim of being no magician was simply invalidated as his lips touched her throat. She could scarcly keep her eyes open. She did not resist however and they fluttered shut with a sigh. She was disapointed though as he stoped... But she remained leaning into him, knowing full well there would be more of his affections later.

Maria smiled at his praisngs of her. But perhaps it as neither him nor herself preforming the magic... "Then it is a magic we weave together... Love... Nothing less... For you are not the only one who feels as if your body is on fire... You belittle your power... your talents." She insisted. "But somehow I doubt you would believe me even if I said that no man had ever made me feel the way you can..." She teased with a smile as she sat up.

"Now come... Are we here to stare at the stars or at each other?" But of course not for the stars. Who would be as foolish. You didn't come out to a quiet, beautiful park in the middle of a cool crisp night with the one you love, to stare at stars. Well, at least she didn't.

She reached under the seet and pulled out the flowers, pleased that they were still intacked and not damaged by the wind. They smelt simply divine still The unique combination making her smile over the tops of the flowers.

“If you say so darlin’.” He said with a smile, giving her statement a false brush off. In truth he’d been listening intently and had to say that her claims were more than an ego boost, sometimes a man just has to hear that he’s doing the right things, and that went for all aspects of a relationship.

Giving her a smile with a “thank you” built right in, he kissed her cheek.

“Um…stars…” He teased. “What stars?”

He gave another grin. Then he was opening his door, pulling the latch that opened his trunk. He moved around the car, collecting the light blue blanket from his trunk as he went, and came around to open Maria’s door.

He gave the same gesture that he had in the movie theater, and offered her a battle scared hand.

“Shall we, My lady?” He said, his voice smoother for the words than any inflection.

She could only roll her eyes and smile at him. She to felt young again when he was near... Like a woman of this century who could make her own choices about who to love... Where to go, how to dress and act... Michael thought not a tyrant or anything, still expected certian standards of her... And though he held a place so dear in her heart...

"You are impossible Istar." She grinned at him as he ignored the stars. Granted she was indeed flatered yes, but sometimes she did feel that she was more beautiful than the stars... And that was whenever he told her so.

As he offered his hand she once more noticed the scars... She had seen them on their first encounter... And she had wanted to kiss away his pains... He had several scars on his body elsewhere and she wished to kiss them away as well... But they would last forever on his perfect body... She did not love him less for his scars no... Nor did she truly pity him... She hurt for him...

She kissed the scar on his hand with several light kisses as if in appology before standing, resting the flowers once mroe on the seat of the car. "Yes..." She responded with a smile. "Let us find a nice suitable place..." She said as she leaned over to kiss his cheek.

Istar let out a sudden sigh, a sigh that was provoked by the tender kisses to his palm, and by the time Maria was done, he wasn’t sure he’d be walking anywhere. He felt weak, it was like kryptonite on Superman, but then he wasn’t so super and he had to admit his weakness was much nicer than Superman’s was. Looking into Maria’s eyes, Istar almost asked, “What was that for?”

Nevertheless, he thought better of it. Sometimes a guy just has to know when to keep his mouth shut, besides if it was sympathy for the battle wounds he had, well he’d take it from the woman he loved any day. Besides, doesn’t the devil deserve a little sympathy now and again too?

He listen then, giving a slight nod, then a blush as she kissed him on the cheek. Coming away, he grinned at her and his voice was cool, but more than a bit more taxed than it had been.

“Naw, lovely I’m not impossible, just complex...very much so, a lot like this raven haired beauty I once met. Ya see, she’s an older woman, more beautiful than a sunrise or a night fall, with eyes like a fresh rain and a figure that gives me a tooth ache. You see I’m just a lot like her and I don't mind saying I’m a man in love.”

He wrapped his arm about her waist again. It felt right, a perfect fit, and he smiled as he spoke.

“So, Iet us find a suitable place.”

It was not true that Maria pittied him... No... "I cannot bear the thought of your suffering... Now or ever my love... I was alone when you were human... I wish I had only found you then my dear..." She rested her head against his chest as they walk, wanting to love away every evidence of his pain...

But that would be impossible... Even as much as she loved him...

She smiled as he spoke of a woman he was in love with... "Oh... And do I happen to know this raven beauty you speak of Istar? For you know I would be very jealous if there were another woman in your life..." She teased gently, hevery bit aware of his arm around her.

Her eyes fluttered shit with a sigh... She wanted to be held in his arms so close... His body so close to hers...

"Yes... We should..." She responded with a sigh.

Istar grinned, he just couldn’t keep the joke to himself.

“Doll I think you might know her, you two are after all incredibly close, one pea in a pod and all. Besides, before you I think I only dated blonds…” He gave her a teasing grin with that last part and wasted no time in kissing her cheek.

“Alright lets go.”

((Sorry its so short.))

"Oh? Blonds Istar? And why might I ask is so appealing about a blond?" She asked genuinly as they walked along a path. "I noticed Micheal when he hunted had an affinity for those kinds as well... Is their blood sweeter than mine my love? Do they taste like the honey color of their hair?"

She had never tasted the differance herself before, but then she had never really saught it out. What was the point? If it could sustain one, why did taste matter? But now for some reason it mattered to her... He had tasted her blood... was the blood of others better than hers? Was their someone who could give Istar more pleasure than she could?

Looking about in the night she spotted a small clear slope that was near a tree, a brillian access to the night sky and she pointed quietly as she began to lead him over. Looking up she smiled slightly at the sky. "Yes... It is indeed beautiful... This spot is perfect..." Her voice was quiet as she brought the small smile to Istar, her eyes at his chest as not to meet his gaze.

Istar almost keeled over in laughter at Maria’s sudden and truly unexpected question. He had been joking…jo-king, but still that question, it was funny to him on so many levels. He just couldn’t help himself. He laughed. He didn’t keel over, but that took a lot of restraint, and his grin was spread wide showing off every millimeter of fang he possessed.

“Oh, man.” He managed between bouts of laughter.

He was still laughing when he was lead to onward toward their destination. Only when Maria spoke was he able to reel it all in, but still he couldn’t help but manage a cheeky grin as she appreciated the night’s beauty. He spoke softly then, his voice purely teasing.

“Forbidden fruit.” He said, “You asked what was so great about a blond. Forbidden fruit. In my time, a guy could catch a bullet or a noose for looking at a woman with skin too fair, blonds being at the top of that list. So because it’s not allowed…” He chuckled “Oh and my sire was a blond…”

He laughed again.

It was just too funny. But then in the same breath it was true; well not the forbidden fruit part, or the blond part. In truth Istar hadn’t really had any kind of inclinations like that. He would admit that he rather preferred females when hunting, but much past that and the fact that he tried not to kill, well he was an open book and he’d tasted ladies of all walks of life. They were different, all different to him; at any rate and blood never tasted the same twice. Oh, it was never bad, but different and he’d long ago decided to delight in the differences and Maria Córdoba was no different in that regard.

Well, perhaps she was and he just didn’t get too attached.

Maria was unique, and as beautiful as he always told her she was. He might not go around shouting it, but every time Istar laid eyes on the woman she made him shiver. It wasn’t the cold kind of shiver either, not shock, but awe. It was like he was surprised every time. He was surprised that she would even waste her time with him, let alone all that she did and humored him in. It was unbelievable, she was unbelievable and Istar felt it every time he was near her.

He smiled again and he let out another soft chuckle.

“To answer your second question and its chaser too, let me just say, that your blood isn’t all that sweet… Nope, it’s a lot more like liquid fire. A lot like a stiff drink. You’re more likely to get a man to forget about the rest of the world than you are to give him cavities. Sweets are usually junk food, you’re a lot of things, but never ever will I believe junk.”

His fingers traced the porcelain smoothness of her jaw line then, and he let out the briefest of gasps as he felt the softness of her against his fingertips.
“A treasure too good for me, perhaps, but not junk…” he whispered.

Why was he laughing? Did he find her true distress that funny? Or was he simply mocking her? Either way she felt a slight pang in her scarcly beating heart. "Istar..." She said quietly, but he continued to speak, so she fell silent, her eyes still on his chest as she began falling back into habit from so long ago. Her father had hated it when she interupted him, as did her husband... Micheal had not said one way or the other, but by the simple fact that he had a habit of ignoring her...

She nodded however as he finished speaking. "Yes... I see..." Was that why Maria found her new lover so appealing? A union such as theirs would have been punishable by death in her age... But surely that couldn't be all that made her feel the way she did... No, there had to be more.

She closed her eyes as he began to speak again. She could not tell if he were teasing or if he were serious. There was too much confusion in her mind to pay it much attention. Her blood was not sweet? Her eyes opened though, the smallest glistens in the corners, as he compaired her blood to fire. A fire that could make men forget the world. She could only manage a small smile in responce, but she did... She blinked quickly, wiping a quick tear of blood from her eye as she smiled. At least he did not concider her junk, that made her smile all the more.

And she could feel it in the breifest of touches as he brushed her jaw. She closed her eyes as she pressed her cheek against his palm, the other tear trailing down her face as she smiled. "I love you Istar..." She returned the whisper, holding his hand to her cheek softly. "But I could never be the full treasure you think me to be... And I don't want to fail you..." How could she ever live with herself if she failed the one she loved so?

Istar suppressed the laughter that he felt at her last statement, he had noted almost instantly Maria’s reaction, and only too late had he thought about how he had run his mouth. Blast it; he was always doing that, talk first, think later, damn. It wasn’t his intention to make the woman cry, but then intentions be damned.

The only thing that stopped him from embarrassing himself as much as he could, to get her to know that he hadn’t meant to make her cry, was the sudden smile that appeared on her features with his last remark, and he felt a bit better.

Not much, you don’t as a man make women cry…

That was a rule of his, one of many that he had specifically for himself. He would live how he wanted to live, him being his only judge, but he’d be damned if he wasn’t his own judge. He’d promised not to make women cry a long time ago. Promised, mostly because of all the tears his mama had shed back when he actually cared, but then his daddy had taught him better too.

“A man doesn’t make women cry.”

It was a lesson he’d taken to heart, right along with others about not hitting girls, and saying his prayers at night. He may not have done a lot of the latter anymore, but the others had stuck with him, even as a hitter. He’d never done children, folks that didn’t have the same God given faculties as everybody else, and up until his last one as a mortal, no women.

Breaking that last one for an especially big pay off had led to him joining the ranks of the vampires of the world, but just as easily it could have lead to him with a broken neck or devoid of blood, without the keen getting it back part. Even now Istar wondered if he hadn’t apologized for the hit before he tried that final time, if he would be alive now. Alex had took pity on him, mercy, and as much as he thought about it, Istar would have said no. Alex didn’t like hitters very much. The two before him still hadn’t and probably never would be found.

Dragging his mind back up out of the past, to the sensation of Maria nuzzling his hand as he stroked her jaw, Istar couldn’t help but look at her with sad eyes as he listened to her speak. When she was done he gave a dismissive shake of his head, as his arms enclosed her again. He had to say that he loved just touching this woman, holding her was good, real good, and it didn’t matter if it was sexual or not. And holding her, he gave a soft whisper in her ear.

“Darlin’ you couldn’t fail me. I don’t want you to ever think that, and no matter what I’m fine with you. Don’t you ever be worried about me in anything you want to do, I’m not your master or sire, or do I expect anything out of you. I just love ya, and that I think I will no matter what…”

The tears had formed in her misunderstandings, but had fallen in her silent joy. As his arms wrapped around her she nuzzled into his chest, as she slid her arms around his waist. So comforting, so strong... The fact that he was taller gave her the feeling of safty and love... But the love was not just from his strength, but from his tenderness.

His words were soft and encouroging in her ears as he spoke, making her smile softly. He loved her... Yes... She knew he did. Her hands moved to clutch at his jacket as she kissed at his covered chest lightly before she once more nuzzled at him, taking in his scent, the sweetest scent that she had ever come across.

"I shall try to remember that... Times have changed so much... and I fear... that I have become lost in the wake of these changes." She said with a weak smile for which she breifly looked up. "Until Michael's death... I was always with one man or another who would... Lead me by the hand through everything..." She sighed. "My father... Antonio... Michael... I was fine wihtout another man once he died. I was lonely though. Too lonely. But I was free for the first time in my life. And now..." She gave a soft laugh. "I want to be with you... Forever Istar... And now... It's like I don't know what to do anymore. Silly isn't it?"

After a final nuzzle she turned in his arms, tilting her head up to the sky. Were the stars even more beautiful now? Or was that simply her imagenation?

Either or... it mattered not. Wrapped in Istar's arms she worried only about him. With a sigh she leaned back against him, reaching up to touch the side of his face gently.

Istar was silent for a moment, his eyes closed against the sudden and many sensations that bombarded him. He smiled, definitely happy, but also he felt remorseful, sorry that he had hurt her, even for a moment. It wasn’t her fault that she didn’t immediately understand everything that came out of his mouth. It was his fault if anyone. He knew Maria’s age, and while he wasn’t always sure that he believed it, he’d met, had conversations with people much older. Heck, his sire was easily three times his and Maria’s combined age. It was his fault for not thinking more, and remembering that people didn’t always bare his parts of speech and slang well.

He really hadn’t wanted to make her cry.

He had to do better by her, he promised himself this one, though he suddenly found it harder to concentrate on any such mental note. Istar felt the arms around his waste and the weight against his chest as one. Both made him shiver, not physically, but mentally. She was something that Istar knew he could never get used to, take for granted; there was just something about her, something more than the pretty face and killer body. Those were great too mind you, but Maria did well and truly make him feel as he never had before.

He was strong in her arms. Not a killer or a hitter, not a monster, or even a predator hiding from his prey. He was just him with her, and he had to admit that with all the demeanors he ended up wearing, all the scary stuff he came up against, it was good to feel normal and to feel strong.

I made Istar remember one of the last things Alexia had said to him, which was before she seemed to disappear off the face of the earth. She had said, “Istar all your life you have sought power and strength. Strength and power over your persecutors, your fellows, and your world. I have given you strength of one kind now, what will you do with it? Will you go become a god among men? Or will you finally go out and find other strengths?”

Istar wouldn’t lie and say that hadn’t stumped the heck out of him. But then he hadn’t always understood the kind of stuff Alex threw at him. She’d educated him, but she hadn’t consoled him in the art of ancient vampire speak. It was something that he could pick up on sometimes, the geezers as he had once called them, tended to be a confusing lot. Still Istar thought that finally he had picked up on the message.

As kisses fell on his covered chest, and then the nuzzling, Istar thought he understood at least a little. He was stronger for Maria. She always brought out stuff in him that other people weren’t even close in noticing. Not many people affected him like that, he could count them on one hand.

After she spoke, the man smiled, giving Maria’s words a stern shake of his head as he pressed his cheek into her soft hand.

“No darlin’ not silly at all.” He said soothingly. “Just promise me that you’ll do whatever you want…how about that one? Think of yourself just a little, it’s the basic base of this age. We’re a more selfish and self-less lot. Ya have to be a little of both…”

Maria turned around again, looking up at Istar with a sad smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I can't do that Istar." She said regretfully. "As much as I want to, I can't just do what I want to do without thinking... Karyn... You..." She kissed his cheek lightly. "A mother, a lover... I have others to think about. I'm trying to be a good mother for Karyn... But I never had the chance before to be one." She quickly brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes. "But it's hard, not getting to see her as much as I would like." She gave a slight sigh as she rested her head against his chest.

"And I don't get to see you nearly as much as I would like to eiter Istar." She said with a tease. "But I doubt I would ever be able to get enough of you." She smiled up at him, leaning up on tip tose to kiss his nose.

"But... I know I can't just do what I want. Well not all the times... But there are sometimes... When the stars are shining over head... and the night is simply perfect... That sometimes I can do what I want." She said with a bit of a grin.

Istar grinned back at her, a smile that had widened just a bit after the kiss on the nose. He hadn’t expected that one, and secretly wondered if his tough guy image would suddenly implode for it. Yeah, it was a lousy joke, but it was one that, well like all his jokes kept him even of mind and perception. It made him feel better and it was also a heck of a way to draw that out in other folks, Istar was quick with them for Maria, especially when he thought she could use one.

At current though, well he just shrugged as he quoted.

“All things in moderation,” Then his face was a bit more serious as he said. “That was all I was trying to say. I know about Karyn, and I’ll watch out for her too, as much as I can. And I definitely know about me. But what I’m saying is don’t over do it. You don’t have to cater to everyone else all the time…”

His expression changed then. It was joking again.

“We mere immortal men and not so little children can do just fine without our mother goddess sometimes.”

Then as if suddenly remembering something, he added with a slightly cheeky grin.

“Oh, and on these perfect nights…what is that you want?” He was able to look completely innocent when he said that. Yeah, that surprised him too.

Maria nodded. But how could she give Karyn anything less than everything? How could she give Istar less than her deepest affection and love? She didn't see how she could do such a thing... She could not sacrifice the two things she loved most dearly above all others. No, she would not. As a man... Would he even understand? Could he understand the workings of a woman's mind? For even all her age, it had not changed greatly... Children are precious, men are dominant and women must love, serve, shelter and care for both.

She looked up at Istars final question, at his apparently innocent face, but even if he could not read her mind, he could read her heart and her body. Her smile held amusement as her hand ran across the back of his neck. Now... How to answer his question? In her mind there was only one way to express her true feelings, her true desires.

She pulled herself closer against him and her lips took a light trail around his neck. Sucking, nipping at his dark skin almost hungrely she worked around his throat. Maria's hungry lips finaly moved up towards his in a passionate kiss that would tell him everything he needed to know about exactly what she wanted to do with him... For him.

Words were not always nessecary, words could be forgotten in a moment. But feelings, sensations of love, desire, want, need... Those could never fade in her heart.

Her hands slid down, over his chest, and unbuttoned the buttons of his jacket. Sliding her hands up she pushed the fabric off of his shoulders. She took the blanket from his hands, tossing it to the ground, pushing his jacket off as well. "I love you Istar..." She said in a wanton whisper. But did she really need to say anything?

Perhaps Istar couldn’t understand Maria, but that didn’t stop him from trying. But at the same time he hoped she would understand him too. He wasn’t cold or cynical by any stretch of the imagination, but that didn’t mean he did understand where all of the cynicism was coming from.

The world had changed, people had changed, even from his generation, and now you couldn’t just walk around self-less. Because as much as you worry about others, you also have to temper it with a little selfishness, empathy and apathy, today’s world called for a little of both, but Istar didn’t press it. They could agree to disagree, after all he’d be watching out for Maria as much as he would Karyn.

He took a breath then, and lost it. It came out in a sound somewhere between a sigh and a groan. Definitely a bedroom sound, that one. It was the only one though.

That was something Istar was still trying to figure out, how it was that he didn’t have to breath and yet Maria’s attentions always left him breathless, but then they also left his pulse hammering, his mouth dry, his muscles tense, and every inch of him taught and charged like a high wire. So maybe he didn’t really need to focus on the breathless part, maybe.

Breathless…

He didn’t make a sound as her lips moved up his throat, him mind already skipping, hoping that she go straight for the kill. Not literally, but maybe his body didn’t care. Istar felt a rush of heat every time he thought of the first time he and Maria were together, with her biting him. He would have bled out and not cared, and his body tensed preparing, hoping for a strike.

It didn’t come, but its substitute was great too. Maria’s lips felt like fire and his kissed her for all he was worth.

Her message was definitely received.

It was then that Istar felt her hands, first on his chest, they were welcomed anytime. Then he felt them move along to his jacket and it took more of him than he’d like to admit, to not focus on the sensation, but instead help Maria with the jacket as he handed her the blanket.

Maria’s voice was a whisper then lascivious in nature, soothing of word. Istar looked at her, smiled and wanted to possess her like never before, but that was base instinct, part of him knew Maria was a possession; she was his lover perhaps, the woman he loved definitely, but not a possession. Still that other part it was pretty convincing.

His left hand went to her right hip, and his right lifted her chin allowing his lips fall down her throat in a methodical sweeping string of kisses, kisses that like Maria’s nipped every so often with hungry lips. Though in Istar’s case, it was a hunger for the softness and sweetness that was Maria. She whom was the object of late of all his dreams and desires.

With the jacket off, Istar pulled back from temptation, of the moment at any rate and went for his belt rather quickly. Naw, he wasn’t rushing things. He had to remove it to get his shoulder holster off. The suit; well truly almost all of his suits, were tailored for the thing. The lines didn’t get messed up or anything. Useful for when you don’t want anyone to know you’re armed.

Without the jacket it was a little obvious though and since they were in a park, despite the hour, he got it off rather quickly, belt and holster, putting it under his coat. The safety was on his gun, and while there was a magazine, nothing was in the chamber. Safe as safe could be really. It was just something that he wasn’t going to lose his head around.

And when he looked back, gave Maria a teasing little smile and a suggestive raise of eyebrows. He doubted she’d get the reference, but he also didn’t care. Nope, instead he took her in his arms as one might a dance partner, he gave her a slight spin and went into a dip that allowed him to stare deep into her eyes.

“I love you too, oh darling of mine.” He said lightly, his gaze anything but light. It was probably enough to start a forest fire.

Maria knew what she did to his body, to his mind. And it thrilled her, having so much power over him. But he had the same power over her. With a single touch he could make her weak at the knees, overcome by so many emotions that she could not respond to a single one. Such as it was when Maria found herself on the receving end of scorching kisses to the sensitive skin of her throat.

Unlike Istar though, Maria could not stay silent. A sigh, a murmur of pleasure, a begging whimper as he nipped. She was pliant in her lovers arms, helpless to do anything but feel.

She even had difficulty standing as Istar removed the holster for his gun. But that difficulty was aleviated as he once more took her in his arms after a dizzying spin. The look in his eyes as he gazed down at her made her tremble with excitement. So hungry... so passionate.

Wrapping her arms around his neck she pulled herself to him, not wanting to be away from his lips for too long. One hand traced his neck, moving around to caress his cheek. And not being able to help herself her lips traveled once more to his neck, but this time, there were no teases. Wanting to taste the burning of his blood she sank her fangs into his neck gently, drawing the precious necter from him.

She took only a little though, just a taste before nuzzling lightly against the wound she had made, kissing over it until she brought her lips back to his. She wanted more, and she would have more, but not now, no. She would wait.

As for reaction, well Istar almost collapsed. Still supporting them both, he didn’t let it happen, but he was close. He hadn’t been expecting the bite, and getting caught unaware seemed to make it more delicious somehow and it was almost more than Istar could handle. He wasn’t silent this time. He let out a sound that was almost a word, almost a “Wow” it ended up however as a “Whm” and its source felt like he would melt. The sensation was more than electric, hotter than flame. It coursed through him as a harsh ripple. A ripple like throwing a stone in a pond, it radiated outward in perpetual expansion from its source in his throat.

Then Istar smelled blood. He smelled his own, metallic and heady on the night air. It was hot, he knew, or at least it felt that way in his veins. Then just a suddenly as it had come, the sensation ebbed, and the finite pull on his flesh that Istar only now realized he had felt was gone. Replaced by the warmth and softness of Maria’s skin as she nuzzled him, Istar knew she hadn’t taken much.

That was fine, but…

Before he had another thought, her lips met his throat again. She kissed carefully over his wound and he mentally begged this time, without shame. There was no such thing when she did the things to him that she did. It took him a few moments not to beg her to continue when she stopped. Actually it took more than a few moments, not to beg her to take him again, to drink as much as she wanted but her lips had already found his by then and he kissed her, his begging forgotten if only for the moment.

After the kiss he righted them both, Maria’s arms still about his neck and he brought them both fully upright.

He shivered.

And when he could speak again without begging, Istar gave her a gentle smile as his arms moved about her waist. He pressed her close, being sure not to be too rough, or at least what he hoped wasn’t too rough. And with them so close he made only the minimal room necessary to slid his hand between their bodies as his let fingers first caress down the center of Maria’s body, then upward, working at the buttons of her burgundy blouse.

Istar only got so far as the third button, that was enough. He was able to pull the fabric back and get at the soft flesh beneath. He pulled it off of her shoulder only so much, enough to reach his target. He kissed her throat again, this time able to go farther because of his adjustment of the blouse and then, at the crook of the neck, his fangs were as gentle as he could manage.

Blood welled up instantly, coming from below, like some willing sacrifice. It was just as he had described, just as he remembered. It was fire. Had he compared it to a stiff drink? He’d been a fool. It was more than that, something rapturous, something to make he not only forget the world, but himself. She was everything in that moment. He felt her more keenly than ever, something not only warm and welcoming, but steady, strong. Strength radiated this woman, and something else, something that made him want to weep at its beauty.

He pulled away.

Not harshly, but gently, his tongue darting out to clean at the wound he had made, licking like a cat at cream, yet with a delicacy that perhaps had never before seemed the man. Istar didn’t care. He never cared how he seemed around this woman, around Maria, she seemed to make him a man. A man out of a monster, it made what she asked at the cinema seem funny.

Was she a monster? It was laughable, had been then, but now with her, god he knew she couldn’t have been more wrong about herself. She was wondrous.

It struck him then, that thing of beauty that he had felt, drinking the small amount he had taken. That thing that felt like fire, it was her, not anything she did, but the woman herself. She was something so beautiful and grand.

Forcing himself away, Istar made sure with tongue that his lips were clean. They where, he’d been driven but careful. And eyes wide he smiled again.

“How can you say you’re no full treasure?” He asked, his voice low and breathy.

She smiled back as he pulled her closer, her arms still around his neck. As she felt his hand along her stomach and chest her eyes fluttered shut. She knew what was comming next... The touch of his lips on her neck only proved her right. She tried to prepare and ready herself for the feeling that would come with his fangs but of course she could not.

With the softest of moans she nearly fell in his arms as the sheer pleasure and extacy that was her lovers bite overwhelmed her. Only the arms she had around his neck saved her from collapsing, but she lay against him, her body compleatly relaxed. "Istar..." She whispered his name softly.

She felt Istar's fangs withdraw from her skin, delicatly licking over the bite. She opened her eyes to look at him yet the world seemed to be spinning around her. Dispite though, she could not resist kissing her beloved softly on his cheek.

Maria heard his question, but stayed silent as the night around them. How could she answer that? When he treated her in such a way, how could she ever think that she was no treasure? He treated her with every courtisy, every kindness, love and affection as if she deserved it. If people keep telling you things long enough, you begin to believe them.

Istar didn’t just want to tell Maria things, well and truly he wanted to show her his feelings and more. He wanted her to know just how dear to him she was, how wonderful, and while he had not the vocabulary or even the range to make it clear, to eat through all the self-doubt that he had so recently become aware of in her heart, there were things he could do, that he had no problem doing for her.

Once such thing was only physical, but he was more than willing to impart even that much if it would get his point across. After all in almost anything Istar was sure to make himself clear, on the streets he had come from it was paramount. People had to know what you stood for.

Like the old saying goes: If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.

Istar’d stood by his convictions and he stood by the woman he loved, and anything that came out of his mouth in her regard was golden. He’d prove it any day, well night, and he didn’t see why tonight wouldn’t work. In fact it was all the better for him. His eyes burned, and he gave her that mischievous smile of his. That smile made a thousand promises, and he had a specific one on his mind. They were in a park sure enough, but he didn’t see or feel, or in any other sensory regard know of any company.

So he asked softly.

“Could you lie down for me Maria?”

Just being in Istar's arms was soothing. The night sounds all around them, the stars glittering high above. Maria nodded with a small smile at Istar's request. "Of course." She agreed. Who was she to question, to deny him? To deny the most cherished person in her eyes of a simply request?

She spread out the blanked where it had fallen, a few feet away and lay on her side, proped up on an elbow as she looked up at him with her tease of a smile. She did not know exactly what he had in mind, but she had a few guesses that held some weight in her mind.

"Anything else Istar?" She asked, just as softly as he had. All he ever had to do was ask something over her. She wouldn't think twice, wouldn't hesitate. She stood for those she cared about. They were all that mattered in her life and she would gladly give up anything for either of them.

She looked up with heavy eye lashes, the scent of his skin around her. Her own skin where his fangs had pierced. There was a smile on his lips. Hungry and untaimed.

His smile could mean any number of things, and though she could read his emotions, as near to overwhelming as they were, she could not read his thoughts. What did he have in mind? Was was his cleaver brain scheaming this very moment? The very thought of the unknown made her shiver with excitement. Though usualy she was afraid of the unknown, she knew Istar would never disapoint her, hurt her. She was not afraid of him, never of him.

Istar give a light shake of his head.

“No, that’s excellent.” He replied, his eyes sweeping softly from her feet to her eyes, his eyes never lingering on any particular point, but rather expansive, like a man admiring a magnificent piece of art.

And art indeed he was admiring.

In his youth in the blood, or rather younger than he was now; Istar had been taken on many a journey by his sire. She, like him now, was capable of flight. Flight much faster and farther than even now Istar could manage. And at the drop of a hat she would whisk him away to some part of the world or another, dropping on him knowledge and culture that a Chicago street punk turned wise guy had nearly drowned in.

Istar had seen many wondrous things during these excursions, but he thought one of the best had been a statue of in Greece of the love goddess. This however, Maria, made it fail in comparison. Istar’s steps were light as he approached her with nearly a sound. His senses were tuned on the world around them for any possible intrusion, yet also locked tightly about the woman before him that made his blood take a slow burn.

When Istar had reached the blanket, his gaze was still roaming over Maria intently. He kneeled at her feet, and slowly proceeded to unlock the mysteries of the female’s foot ware.

Surprisingly it didn’t take long. The strappy high heels were undone rather fluently, and Istar sat them aside with his jacket and gun, he then proceeded to kiss his way down the silky expanse of the one leg he could reach with her on her side.

The he gave her another grin.

“Lie on your back, please.” He said the please with all due politeness, but his eyes weren’t of the same opinion.

As he looked over her, she nearly blushed. Even though she was fully clothed, only a few buttons undone on her blouse, it felt as if she lay naked before him. But then again, she had done so before, so why would this time be so different? there was no one around after all.

At that thought she relaxed her body, laying her head on the blanket gently her hair splayed slightly. She gave a soft smile as she felt her shoes taken away by his hands, so rough yet gentle. But even gentler yet...

She gave a murmur as she felt his lips against her skin. Her pulse quickened as he worked his way up. Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment before he spoke, but opened again at his words. "Of course my love..." Her voice was a weak whisper. Weak with her desires.

She shifted on to her back, opening her arms slightly to welcome her lover into them. "Come to me Istar..." She said in the same weak voice, wanting to touch him, to kiss him again. "Please..."

Istar smiled, and it wasn’t his usual displays of mirth. No, his eyes, his manner, his lips were different and it was assuredly a guy’s smile. It was that contented self-confident expression that comes to a man when he is with a woman and knows that she has chosen him. A man with that expression knows that of all the men in the world, it is his grand fortune to have the woman before him, even if only for the moment. It is something deep and instinctual. Something primal and possessive and something that glittered in the man’s eye.

He moved then, his hands caressing the smooth twin expanses of leg that were now clear and open beneath Maria’s skirt. Wicket ideas played across Istar’s features, but rather quickly they disappeared, contained but not forgotten.

Istar came then, he went to his love as asked. He moved up her body slowly, supporting his weight on knees and palms now off to either side of her. When their eyes met he pressed himself surely into her waiting arms, his lips nearly met hers. He could sense their warmth, and lightly, sensually he spoke against her mouth..

“You rang?” He said. It was only half joking. He’d be whatever this woman wanted him to be, butler or otherwise. Like he’d said once before, he was interested in pleasing her totally and completely.

Yes, Maria chose him, him and no other to attend to her in such a way. Only he could bring such soft moans from her lips with just the simple caress of her legs. Oh he was a tease... But it was all worth while most certianly.

Her eyes fluttered open as she recovered from the wave of pleasure he had sent though her with such a simple touch, and she met his dark and hungry eyes ever so close to hers. She did not respond to his words but rather pulled him into a flurrie of soft, delicate kisses to his tempting lips.

Her arms embraced him lovingly. "Istar... I want to spend forever with you..." she whispered almost desperatly. But for her it was a basic need. She needed him like she needed blood. Like she needed air when she had lived. She needed his touch, his light in her life, his smile and his goodness.

She had more she wanted to... She wanted him to be a father to Karyn... And a husband to her. She had chosen him... She wanted him above all others, for all her life, for all the life of the world. She had vowed to never take a lover that she did not chose... Vowed never to bind herself to someone unworthy of her love. But Istar was worthy. He was worthy of her every affection. She would bind herself to him most willingly.

Her hands slid across his chest to the buttons of his shirt. She wanted to feel the strength of his body against hers. It was only a few moments before the buttons were gone, his shirt hanging open, his scared chest open to her touch, her love. "Forever Istar..." She whispered against his neck as she broke one of the many kisses. "I will be yours. Only yours forever."

From the still devout Catholic that Maria was, her words were as good as any wedding vow. She had said ones similar before... And she had meant them then as well. But she still felt compelled to say it again. "Only you will be in my heart, in my soul. Only you shall know me as God does..." The words came from her heart, which was pounding with the treasure chest of emotions. Each one stronger, sweeter than the next.

Istar Indora felt keenly aware, aware of his surroundings completely and totally, but more so aware of the woman who moved gently beneath him, her body a burn presence against his. Istar could feel every inch of Maria, he felt her warmth and her caring, he felt her presence like a vibrant and living thing caressing and soothing across his skin. Istar nearly cried out from this sensation alone, but then he realized something. It wasn’t just Maria’s body that he felt. The former mob enforcer felt something else, it was wholly supernatural, and something that he was only usually able to manage in the briefest of senses among mortals. It had never worked on the immortal, yet even as he thought this, he felt Maria like a presence in his gut.

Empathy. That’s what he had heard the ability called. That was what he’d called it, rarely when he ever even mentioned it that was. Feeling the emotions of others, it like so many of his other abilities freaked him out a bit, and perhaps this was odder still, that it was working on Maria, older than him in the blood as she was, but it also felt right and Istar let out a slight sigh as he felt her hands working across his chest.

He sensed the truth in her words, the emotion, the pure and passionate love, and this brought a sharp breath to his lungs. He paused, speechless; the woman of his dreams beneath him, offering him something that he hadn’t in a thousand years considered. He shuddered, then his arms embraced her as he brought is bared chest to her semi-clothed one. And his voice was as soft as ever it was.

“Always!” He promised.

His kiss then fell on her lips, in stark contrast to her earlier efforts. It was deep and searching, hot and passionate, a promise for the future.

Maria could feel the change that came over Istar, when he could feel her words in his heart rather than just hearing them, and it pleased her greatly. And his answer to her words maybe have been a simple one, but he felt it with all his heart. And that was good enough for her.

"Always." She repeated before his kiss enveloped her. Her arms were wrapped around his neck tightly, holding them close together as they shared their passion through the kiss. But no matter how passionate the kiss was it was never enough for her. With him she always wanted more.

She broke the kiss, nuzzling at his neck, sighing slightly she kissed her way down to thecurve where his neck met his shoulders. Delicatly, softly and with every intention to please, Maria slid her fangs into his flesh, as if sealing their oath by blood, binding them together for all eternity.