25: My House – Pt. 1

“Welcome to La Casa de Constantine!” Derrick bowed with a cheesy grin as he opened the door to allow Victoria inside. Beyond the mini-lantern lighted pathway she’d walked towards his door tall oaks surrounded the old mansion bending their branches in a brisk wind. The scent of fresh cut grass drifted into the door behind her and she could faintly make out the distant growl of an engine roaring to life behind his property. “You’ve entered the magical kingdom where elephants fly, chimney sweeps dance and every wish comes true.”

“That’s Disney Derrick,” Victoria sighed, folding her arms over her upper body in a protective shield as she waited on him to reveal his intentions for inviting her over tonight.

Derrick grinned that cocky and devilish smile as his eyes moved up ever so slightly to take in her demeanor. “Is it? Well perhaps dear old Walt stole it from me! Who do I report that to anyway?”

“My guess would be Robbery,” Victoria responded with an uncaring attitude that he denoted a tinge of sarcasm beneath.

“Robbery?”

“Yeah, they’ll file it under ‘we don’t give a fuck’ and it’ll get taken care of around ‘never and a day’.”

“Well someone’s in a mood; bad day at work?” he retorted instantly regretting the move when Victoria’s pleasant face turned down into a scowl and her brows furrowed with annoyance.

“Derrick I just spent the better half of my morning watching them scrape eight people off a city bus enough to identify so we can start an investigation into their deaths and the rest of the afternoon filing the proper paperwork to have their medical records released. I’m really not in the mood for much and had plans to stand you up so forgive me if I’m not all sunshine and rainbows.”

“Right, I heard about the hijacking downtown. You caught the guy though right?” 

“One of them; he refuses to give up his partner who we believe created the bombs in the first place and we have no idea why they targeted that bus or if someone on it was their main focus.”

“You know if you want I could use a little compulsion on the guy, get him to spill his guts. Before you know it he’ll tell you everything he’s done since he was a sperm in his mother’s egg.”

“No thank you. I’m sure I can figure it out without resorting to brain melting. Wait, have you ever done that to me? The compulsion thing?”

“Of course not Victoria I’d hate to miss out on your witty repartee,” he laughed as she breathed heavily in his direction. “Honestly. I’d never remove your will, ever. I wholly appreciate it.”

Victoria stepped away from the door, inhaling the light woodsy scent of Derrick’s cologne as she did. A white cotton shirt folded loosely about his shoulders and he watched her silently, the groomed strands of his mane moving only beneath the will of his crooked eyebrow. Catching herself staring she nibbled her lip and turned to face a framed picture on the wall beside his bowed staircase. “Alright, so why did you ask me over here?” she asked looking around the foyer of the old home with a frown. “You live here?”

Derrick nodded and moved closer to where she stood. He propped his arm on the cherry wood banister again allowing his spicy fragrance to waft easily through the air between them as he addressed her. “I bought it the second I got back to town. It had been on the market for 17 years before that.” Victoria paused as she too placed her hand on the banister and turned to him in surprise. “Apparently there were a few random events…murders mostly, that caused people to shy away from the estate. So when I say it was a steal.”

“What wait? You bought a house where someone was murdered?”

“Someone, eleven someones, why split hairs? The house has history and is just a really gorgeous place in its own. Those are authentic museum quality Tiffany stained glass windows you should see them along the turreted stair hall the place is remarkable!”

“And how much did you purchase your murder house for?”

“Around the neighborhood of $3.5 million, cheap considering its worth. Would you like a tour?”

“Um…”

“Come on you can’t refuse me, Victoria. You’ll love it I promise!” His eyes were pleading yet hid a boyish charm Victoria found herself rather drawn to. His hand extended as he continued watching her and she gave in with a silent grunt.

“Ok Derrick, I’m sold, I’d love the tour.”

“Great but first, let me grab you something to drink.” He took her hand and started into the study to the right of the stairs and Victoria looked around the room as he pulled a few glasses from the cabinet on the bar. “Pick your poison.”

“Whatever you have is fine; something that’ll make me forget my day ever happened.” Derrick frowned hearing the sadness laced in her words as he prepared her a ‘89 Château Mouton Rothschild from Pauillac near Bordeaux, France. “So our Trickster friend supposedly took the Heart of Bríd in order to get me inside the museum. He knows what I am and it seems he knew there was something important there I should see.”

“The scroll?” Derrick asked to which Victoria nodded her head. “Well it makes sense. Tricksters work off of what they believe is the greater good even while doing something heinous like murder or theft.”

“He also invited me to his place, open invitation party of two. Know anyone who would be interested in checking it out with me?” Handing her the glass he watched her take her first sip and appreciated the fulfilled moan that followed.

“It has a rich, full-bodied flavor; lots of vanilla bean and sweet black fruits like ripe plum with a bouquet of toasty oak, berry and milk chocolate with fine tannins and a silky finish. Since you’re a fan of red wine I knew you’d appreciate this one.” He smiled and tucked the bottle behind his back. “And Victoria, did you just ask me out?”

“No…not, what…no…I was just saying that…well you’d know more about this guy and what to look for. I just thought it would be best if you came along you know, just in case.” She responded quickly and turned the glass up to her lips again. “Mmm, this is the best red wine I think I’ve ever tasted Derrick, thank you,” she smiled sincerely and he looked away from her eyes briefly with a smile of his own. 

Victoria nearly inhaled the contents of her glass as thoughts of her day lingered somewhere in the back of her mind and Derrick quickly refilled her drink. “Well at nearly $3000 a bottle, it better be.”

“I’m sorry, you said what?” Derrick simply smiled as Victoria stared in disbelief at the glass in her hand. “See I knew you were crazy. Who pays $3000 for a bottle of rotten grapes?”

“Batshit is I think the phrase you’re looking for Detective,” Derrick laughed, “and at least you’re enjoying it.”

“Yeah.” She sighed and casually stepped away from the sofa. “So this room?”

“The study, at least that’s its purpose for me, I liked the ambience most in here so this is where I spend most of my time when I’m…”

“Plotting your evils?”

“Something like that,” he grinned and watched her move about the room. “Usually I will just sit here, unraveling the many mysteries of the universe. And when that doesn’t work, I read like normal people.”

“Impressive,” she remarked as she neared the far wall of the room. Numerous plaques and certificates with his name on them hung around the walls as well as degrees from various colleges and universities; some Ivy leagues. The room was done with warm wooden tones adding to the antique feel of the place. Soft browns and yellows covered the walls and was highlighted by his use of bright colored flowers and the stained glass windows that seemed to run its course throughout the property. “You earned all of these?”

“Victoria, I’m 417 years old, there’s not much to do besides learn. My father was an astute man. He instilled in me the value of a great education. Art, philosophy, science, math, literature, law, astronomy; I even took a pottery course once,” he beamed and motioned towards a vase sitting on the fireplace mantle. “I know a lot about a lot and can speak 1500 different languages including some considered ‘dead’ and demon tongues. I’ve explored nearly every region on earth, Tuscany being my personal favorite and seen hundreds of cultures flourish with what they were given.”

“Ah. You know a simple ‘yes’ would have done just fine.” Derrick laughed again as she turned towards the door and started into his personal library. “Let me guess,” she turned with a smile and motioned to the walls decorated with books of every language, size, shape and color. “You’ve read everything in here.”

“Twice!” He added with his signature grin. “Would you like to know what my favorite tale of all time is?”

“Could I give a guess?” he waved his hand at her in a motion to consent to her request and she gave a spin and stood at the sundial at the center of the room as she thought over her response. “Hmm mythology; Greek not Roman and the stories I’d say are between Daedalus & Icarus and Apollo & Daphne.”

“Well now that’s a profound talent; Apollo & Daphne are my favorite couple. Might I ask how you came to that conclusion?”

“I’m a detective Derrick,” Victoria grinned and brushed past him. “It’s what I do.”

“Indeed,” he acknowledged her and followed into the hallway. “Not bad Victoria. I’ll get it out of you later how you figured that out. But also, you forgot Erinyes, the Furies; I love a woman with bite.”

Leading her out into the hallway he waited for her to decide her direction and started up the stairs with her. “Built by architect André Laurent in 1872 for Italian banker and aristocrat Marcus Gregorio as a wedding present to his new bride, the house is 14,000 square feet, with six bedrooms, five bathrooms, four floors, a basement and attic. And according to some eyewitness accounts, there are actual ghosts still residing here.”

“Known as the Gregorio Mansion to some, it earned the moniker ‘Murder House’ as you so delicately labeled it around 1902 when its first owner and resident Marcus Gregorio was bludgeoned to death by his wife in the upstairs bedroom,” he explained opening the door to the masters’.

“It was the day before their 32^nd wedding anniversary dear Mrs. Elizabeth Gregorio walked into the bedroom she shared with her husband to find him riding their live-in maid like an undisciplined polo horse. Needless to say she wasn’t overly thrilled learning that A, her husband was a cheating scumbag and B, he would find more pleasure with the hired help than with her. Removing the solid gold lamp from the bedside table, she struck the maid as she moaned his name in the throes of passion, splitting her skull and then with three swift blows ended her marriage and her cheating husband’s life.”

“Wow. Why would you want to live here?”

“Because like I said, the place is amazing! That was just ONE of the many things that makes this house truly unique. You haven’t even seen the gazebo outside or the many other rooms this estate has to offer,” he grinned and hopped onto the bed. “Care to join me?”

“That would be a no,” she laughed and backed out into the hallway. “I don’t think I could sleep let alone have sex in a house where someone was killed.”

“Sex? Whoever said anything about sex Victoria?”

“Whatever,” she growled and rolled her eyes at him.

“You deal with death and murder every day Detective. Standing in a room where a crime was committed is your passion, remember? Solving the mystery and giving peace to the suffering,” he reasoned as he chased behind her.

“It’s one thing to visit a crime scene; it’s a whole new monster to live in one, Derrick. But you know, the place suits you and it doesn’t surprise me you call it home.”

“Well now I’m not sure if I should be complimented by that or insulted, Victoria.”

“Derrick my dear, if I were going to insult you trust me, you’d be the first to know!” She gulped down a mouthful of her 3^rd glass of wine and headed back down the stairs. Wobbling a little, Derrick’s arm immediately went around her waist helping her down the rest of the way.

They entered the kitchen and Victoria pulled away from his grip as she leaned back into the wall, feeling the effects of the expensive merlot swimming in her system. Derrick kept an eye on her readying himself to catch her should she fall and turned the fan on above her to help the booze pass through her blood.

“And what’s down there?” Victoria asked moving towards an unremarkable door on the outside of the kitchen wall. Derrick hurried in front of her stopping her from turning the handle and peeking inside. “Oh come on! What is it? Your little dungeon of pain or something?” she laughed and sipped of the glass in her hand.

“Something like that,” he grinned and shrugged nonchalantly. Victoria’s eyes opened in surprise and the evil smirk on his face grew wider as he turned the knob in his hand. “I suppose I did offer you the full tour. It might be best to leave this here.” He lifted the glass from her hand and sat it on the counter behind him before leading her down the stairs of the basement.

The door opened with a light whirring sound as thick, cool air swirled above them as it was released from the enclosed room. Derrick started down first, hitting the switch for an overhead light that sputtered a few times before finally catching on. The large underground room was bathed in a buttery glow, illuminating barely anything but enough that Victoria could see his form just in front of her.

Derrick lit a candle at her feet and she stepped deeper into the room. “Wow, you weren’t kidding,” she spoke as she took in the number of contraptions arranged in the large open space beneath the kitchen. Delicately her fingers traced the leather straps of one machine and Derrick caught her eyes roaming the length of the metal cage as he joined her.

“That one interest you?”

“I can’t say that it does. I’m not the leather and lace kind of girl.”

“You never know until you try.” Derrick’s fingers gently caressed Victoria’s opened palm as she turned to look around the rest of the basement and he stopped her in place. “Bondage takes a lot of trust Victoria. It’s not a venture to be taken lightly by its participants. Being on the receiving end of the whip, paddle or cuffed to a bed means you are fully capable of giving utter control over to your Dom. You have faith that he’ll treat you with care while showing your body an incredible amount of pleasure.”

“Right and as I just said, BDSM is not my thing.” She tried jerking her hand away but Derrick held her tighter and felt a heated response from her body as he did.

“I think it is. In fact I know you’d enjoy it.”

“Having you as my Dom? Yeah, no thank you Derrick. Let go of my arm.” He opened his hand and she slipped free of him but only moved a foot away as her eyes automatically moved back to the table behind him. “It looks painful. I’ve never been one to enjoy pain.”

“It only hurts if done incorrectly,” he whispered against her ear. Skirting his hands slowly up her sides, Victoria jumped a little from his contact before leisurely falling back against him. She could feel his hands slip against her hip, lowering to her sidearm and handcuffs. “Do you mind if I borrow these?” he asked as he unclipped the pocket and removed them before she could answer.

Victoria turned to look into his eyes and he nodded to the gadget beside her. Taking one step back, she sat down with little encouragement on the cool, wooden surface and shuddered as a chill rolled up her back. “I suppose we should have a safe word right? Something offbeat and ridiculous like ‘tangy yogurt’.” She hiccupped and tasted the fermented grapes burn her throat.

Derrick chewed on the inside of his cheek to hold back his laugh as he watched her seated on the hard wood in front of him. “Would that make you more comfortable Victoria?” He leaned forward and closed the metal bracelet around her wrist until he heard a click. She jumped at the sound and traced it up to her right arm. “Relax Detective. I’m sure you’ve heard that sound a thousand times before.”

Moving to the other side, he wrapped the chain of the cuffs behind the small piece of wood before locking her left wrist behind her back as well. Victoria closed her eyes, inhaled and exhaled slowly as she felt her nipples awaken to Derrick’s tender caress down her arm and along her side. He moved closer, placing his fingers beneath her chin as he directed her gaze towards him. She opened her eyes without thinking and found his lips so close to hers they threatened a kiss.

Victoria should have done something, anything other than look into eyes, since now that was all she could do. His hand brushed up her shoulder as his fingertips teased up her neck. Delicately the tips brushed back an errant strand of hair as he savored the way her body tensed from his touch. Derrick smiled at her again; that dangerous, sexy smirk that this time had her thoughts swirling in her head. Handcuffed to a wooden slot in his basement, she was at his total mercy and was still trying to figure out how she allowed herself to be placed in this predicament. “What do you want?” His baritone voice went through her like hot chocolate, warming the chills that he caused at the same time and melting her from the inside out.

“I want you to unlock these cuffs,” Victoria replied, though the words came out less forceful than she’d hoped. The flavor of the merlot again stung at her throat as she peered up at him feeling the intoxicating effects of the wine.

He said not a word, just kept looking at her. Visibly his eyes moved up and down her body, her nipples awkwardly taut beneath his scrutiny. Victoria chewed her lip as he continued inspecting her and wondered if his gaze had the power to somehow unbutton her top. The corners of his mouth turned up in approval as he stood more erect and he simply turned and walked away. “Derrick!”

The lights turned out in the basement as he made his way up the stairs and Victoria found herself struggling in the cuffs as she heard the door close and lock. “Is this what you meant by trust?” she growled and twisted against the cool metal burning into her wrists. A sudden gust of cool air pushed against her with the familiar scent of Derrick’s cologne. In the dark she recognized the sound of the cuffs unlocking and immediately withdrew her hands giving them a gentle rub. Three candles were lit around her, illuminating the dark space just barely to make out shadows being cast against the wall.

Victoria stood and took one step forward. Blinded and unaware of her surroundings she stumbled against a wooden block and tumbled forward. It took a moment for her to realize she was no longer falling. Instead a large, well-toned arm was wrapped around her waist slowly drawing her up and that same scent flooded her nostrils once she was met with his carved chest against her back.

She fought to control her breathing as something rigid brushed against her hip. What is he doing to me? She thought and tried to push away from him. Victoria didn’t want to admit the effect he was having on her nor would she allow herself to be tricked again by the man behind her. “What do you want?” he asked again in that same enticing voice, whispering this time against her ear as he held her still against him. She felt his tongue draw up the side of her neck, circling the largest vein just beneath the skin. His thumb stroked over her lower lip and Victoria resisted the urge to kiss it.

Derrick shifted to stand directly behind her, brushing the firmness along the groove of her ass leaving no doubt in her mind as to what she was feeling; he was aroused too. The gentleness of the hand that stroked her arm as he spoke caused her quivering legs to buckle forcing her deeper into his body. Victoria bit her lip to suppress a whimper as she felt his entire toned body against her from behind. Her stiff nipples rubbed over the lace of her bra as Derrick’s hand slowly worked up her thigh.

His cheek was cool against hers as he stroked the fingertips of his other hand slowly down her neck to the top button of her dress. Her body was trembling as she tried to gather enough sense to do something, anything to back this man away from her. “Derrick, don’t. Not this…I don’t want…”

“Yes you do,” he hissed as his fingers moved slowly over the next button, pausing briefly to heighten his actions. “And if it is your desire, I could make you moan in nonstop pleasure until you passed out.” Touching them without opening any of them, he listened as her breath hitched every time his fingers moved more downward. Judging by the way her breast pushed against his hand, Victoria’s body obviously didn’t hear what her mouth was saying.

“Derrick…please…”

His touch, though chilly, lit a fire in her chest that seemed to ripple throughout stopping just at the moistness forming at her warm center. Derrick’s hand slipped around her waist as his other caressed down past her navel and along her thigh. “If you really want me to stop, just say the magic words.”

Victoria couldn’t prevent herself from leaning into his touch. Derrick’s fingertips brushed the outer lacy edge of her boyshort panties. The growl of approval he gave her made her face burn hot from the bright red flush that infused her skin. Her lips parted then closed and parted again she had no idea what to say or what he wanted to hear. She opened her mouth again to speak, but all she could muster was a dull moan as his hand moved to her warm mound and he pressed his hard shaft tight against her center.

Even through their clothes she could feel it throbbing, forcing her to bite down on her lips to keep herself from crying out. His fingers stroked softly through her hair as he kissed the exposed area of her collarbone, his presence slowly retreating from her. “And you said you didn’t wear lace,” he smirked and started up the stairs leaving her standing alone in his basement.

Victoria ran her hands down her body, straightening invisible creases in her clothes. She fanned herself a moment as the heat from the stifling room started to get to her. At least she told herself it was stuffy in the dark basement as she fanned the flames, positive it had nothing to do with the way that 400 year old vampire stoked her inner fires. 

“How many?” She asked, rejoining him in the kitchen. She folded her arms across her chest and leaned into the wall with a stern look on her face.

“Excuse me?”

“How many women have you subjected to your basement of-of toys?”

Derrick grinned at the word toys and placed her glass back to the counter as he started towards her. “Why does that matter?”

“Because I want to know Derrick, how many?”

“Enough.”

“Enough to perfect your methods; thanks. That’s all I wanted to know. Well thank you for the tour of your murder house and the drink but it’s late, I should be leaving now.” She took a step forward and Derrick matched it, colliding their bodies together with a grin Victoria did her best to ignore. She swallowed hard as she was instantly met with the memories of his hands on her moments ago and inhaled sharply.

“Please, allow me to see you out.” He moved around her, ensuring his chest rubbed over the rigid pebbles poking once again against her dress and exited towards the front door.

Victoria drove herself home quickly, a cold shower the first thing on her agenda as she stepped into the door of her home. “Asshole,” she growled and threw her bag to the floor beside her bed. Upset didn’t begin to describe the way she felt knowing she allowed him to once again push her buttons. Derrick seemed to enjoy toying with her. But what’s worse is he always seemed to know exactly what would get to her most.

She rubbed her hand over her chest where his lips connected to her skin and sighed. “Derrick.” She whispered his name and fell to her bed. Between her partner’s incessant questioning of why the man is always coming around and tonight’s escapade in his dungeon she was beginning to question just how a quad century seasoned vampire handled himself in bed.

Blushing at the thought of his hands rubbing down her chest, Victoria allowed her fingers to trace the path he’d taken down her belly and over her thigh. Her hand dipped beneath her skirt tangling in the lacy binds of her panties. Adjusting herself higher into her pillows, she noticed an intoxicatingly familiar scent on her fingers, Derrick’s cologne! 

Using the hand coated in his fragrance, Victoria undid the buttons of her top and let her dress fall down to the floor. She slipped on top of the covers keeping her eyes closed as she moved and began stoking the fire that had been lit by Derrick’s touch. Being a single woman, she was no stranger to helping herself along, but tonight she had motivation and her fingers seemed more determined at task. Alone with her fantasies everything was better.

She could have anyone she wanted, be anywhere she’d like and never have to worry about leaving unsatisfied; she knew how to please herself. Victoria’s mind wandered to that dark room with all of his intricate equipment. She imagined being there with him handcuffed to the wooden chair as he towered over her, naked with that smile she found herself growing weaker to. Her fingers closed over her nipple and she pinched it the way she liked pretending it was his hands on her. 

Her hand slipped through her moist sex beneath her panties and she imagined Derrick holding her against his hard chest as he fingered her. She moaned deeply as she thumbed her clit, her thighs tensing as she pictured them wrapped around him while he took her hard. The sound of the wooden block pounded and he growled in her ear as he took her over the edge with every thrust.

Victoria trembled; her body shaking from the heat her fantasy produced and the very idea of allowing him to dominate her in such a way. Relinquishing total control to someone who appeared a giving lover was all she needed to find release. Pondering all of the illicit things she would do to him and have him do to her drove her fingers faster until she felt her bud stiffen beneath her fingers.

The forbidden world she could explore with him was too much to take and suddenly the explosion. Victoria moaned out loud and her body shuddered the agonizing quake of passion as her breath stuttered through clenched teeth. Slowly her muscles relaxed and she fell back into her pillows, her eyes closed and thoughts still as she drifted into a peaceful sleep.

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