00. tricks of the trade

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  WITH A FINAL SWING of her silver blade, the last of the vampire nest was slain. Andromeda stood over its body, breathing heavily. "That's what you get, you son of a bitch!"

She spat on the corpse with a smile then pulled out her phone, dialling the most recent number. It only rang a couple of times before the person on the other end picked up.

"Andy?"

"The nest is taken care of," Andromeda said. She began gathering her duffle bag. "Get a drink ready for me?"

"What kind of drink are we talking?"

Andromeda thought for a moment. She started out the dishevelled building. "Something to ease the pain. Fuckers gave me a nasty cut," She laughed and winced as she touched her bloodied torso. "Any suggestions, Nat?"

The woman, Natalie, laughed. "Oh, I have plenty. I'll have them waiting for you."

"You're an angel," Andromeda sighed as she sat in the driver's seat of her black Volkswagen Beetle. "See you in an hour." She snapped the phone shut, tossing it onto the passenger seat before starting the engine.

And exactly an hour later she rolled up to Ruthie's Dive Bar. Patrons bustled around the rustic bar and lights poured out from its windows. Andromeda parked the Beetle in her reserved spot. A few men whistled at her as she walked past. She smirked and ignored them as she headed inside and towards the bar.

Her eyes found the violet hair of Natalie. "Bartender!" She smacked the wooden bar as she sat on the old red barstools.

Natalie jumped and a glass fumbled in her hand. "Shit, Andy!" She turned with a scowl, poorly attempting to hide her smile. "Will you quit it?"

Andromeda jokingly pouted. "Aww, I missed you too, Nat."

Natalie shook her head and chuckled. Her eyes then trailed to the dried blood on Andromeda's shirt. Andromeda pulled her coat over it, wincing slightly. Natalie shook her head. "Did you even patch that up?"

"Of course I did," Andromeda lied through her teeth.

"You really should clean it..."

"I don't need a mother, Nat. I need a drink."

With a sigh, Natalie turned around and grabbed a glass. She poured liquids into it that Andromeda couldn't quite make out. She turned back and placed it down in front of her. "A long island. You're gonna need it."

Andromeda laughed and took it gladly. "And this is why you're my best friend."

"I'm your only friend, Andy."

"Bite me." Andromeda joked before taking a sip of her drink. She sighed happily as the cocktail hit her tongue.

She used her downtime to people-watch. Hunters from all over America gathered at Ruthie's. It, along with the Roadhouse, was a hub for supernatural bounties and gambles. If she listened carefully enough, she could probably hear a multitude of deals being made. Her next job was with one of those SOBs.

A burst of shouts caught her attention. A group of men sat around a poker table. Someone had clearly won, and a lot of them had clearly lost. All the middle-aged men at the table pushed dollar bills and coins toward the youngest of the group.

Andromeda found herself biting her lip as she watched him. He couldn't have been much older than her. He was roguish, good-looking, and clad in a leather jacket. He collected the money happily as the older men all stormed off, mumbling angrily to themselves.

As the younger man stood, stuffing his pockets with cash, his eyes met hers. Andromeda felt dizzy when he smiled at her. She turned back to face Natalie and the bar. "What did you put in this?" She hissed at her friend.

Natalie looked confused for a moment before she looked over Andromeda's shoulder, and a wicked smile crossed her lips. "Don't look now, but he's coming over." She laughed and moved to the other end of the bar to serve a customer.

In the corner of her eye, Andromeda could see the man sitting next to her. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and took a deep breath.

"You all by yourself tonight?" His voice was somehow soft and rough at the same time.

Andromeda glanced at him, smirking. She took a sip of her drink. "I don't know...am I?"

He chuckled. She watched as he waved Natalie over. "Whiskey for me and whatever this beautiful lady wants."

Natalie look at Andromeda with an amused glint in her eyes. "Ma'am?"

Andromeda nodded slowly. "Vodka Cran, please," Natalie nodded and turned her back to them. Androma sat up fully, not meeting the man's height even on the stools and looked him in the eye. A jolt of excitement shot through her. "Smooth."

He shrugged. "I try."

Natalie returned with the drinks and sent Andromeda a wink before walking away. She downed the rest of her Long Island iced tea before taking the second drink. The man raised his brow with a smirk. "You gotta name?"

Andromeda thought for a moment, then tilted her head. "I do."

"You gonna give it to me?"

"Only if you earn it," She narrowed her eyes, hoping he got the hint. Something about this stranger drew her in. She normally wasn't one for a one-night stand and she normally had a rule about not sleeping with Hunters. But the way he looked at her and the way he looked didn't apply to that rule.

He smiled, giving in to her game of chase. "Is that how it's gonna be?"

Andromeda sipped her vodka cran. "I can't just give my name out to anyone. How do I know you won't stalk me after?"

"Stalk you?" He laughed. "Oh, honey. It'll be the other way around. Trust me."

That solidified it for Andromeda. She turned to the bar and knocked on the wood. "Nat!"

Natalie turned with a smile, already holding the keys to the guest room she kept for Andromeda. She tossed them to her. "Don't have too much fun."

Andromeda turned back to the man. The look on his face was half impressed, half turned on. She smiled as innocently as she could. "I'm a friend of the owner."

"I can see that..." He gulped, eyes trailing up and down her body.

Andromeda stood. "Follow me, pretty boy."

He did, no questions asked.

Andromeda led him out of the bar and around back. The shed out back had been converted into a bedroom for Andromeda a few years ago.

"Is this your murder shack?" He joked as she slid the key into the lock.

Andromeda didn't answer him. She opened the door and stepped aside. "See for yourself."

His eyes didn't leave hers as she slid past her into the room. A bed and a nightstand were all that was in it. Andromeda followed him in and shut the door behind her, locking it.

As soon as it clicked, she felt his hands grab her, pulling her into his chest. Their lips found each other in an instant. Andromeda hadn't had sex in a least a year, but her body hadn't forgotten what to do. She bit down on his bottom lip and he responded by grabbing her ass. She smiled into the kiss.

He pulled back, looking down at her with lust-filled eyes. With one hand, he pulled his shirt off and over his head. Andromeda's eyes trailed across his chest. He was a Hunter alright -- covered in scars, cuts and bruises. She hated to admit it, but it was incredibly hot.

She began to take her own shirt off, but the stretching of her cut skin reminded her of her injury. She followed through, though and took it off, leaving her in her bra.

His eyes found the gash on her torso, dried and bloody. "How'd ya get that?"

Andromeda shrugged. "Vampires."

He replied with pulling her back in for a kiss. As his hands roamed her body, she noticed how he became significantly gentler. It would've been endearing if she didn't have the overwhelming need to be rough. She moved her lips to his jawline. "I won't break..." Then to his neck. "I can take it."

The man groaned, effortlessly scooping her off her feet and onto the bed. As he sat on his knees above her, they both rapidly undid their belts. He was quicker, discarding his pants. "Allow me." He pulled her hands away and took over, removing her jeans.

As he did, Andromeda reached behind her back to unclasp her bra. When his eyes returned to her face, he was met with her breast. An excited smile spread across his face and he was quick to put his mouth to them, kissing and sucking. Andromeda sighed happily and ran a hand through his hair.

His hands trailed down her body, caressing her hips, still avoiding her gash. As his lips moved back to hers, his fingers grazed over her underwear. Andromeda gasped at the light touch. She could fill him smirk against her lips. He snaked the panties off and his fingers found bare skin. He ran them through her folds. She was wet. She was slightly embarrassed it had taken such a short amount of time.

He pulled back and smiled down at her. "For me? You shouldn't have."

She rolled her eyes. "Your turn." She gestured to his boxers.

His eyes widened with excitement. He removed them immediately. Andromeda eyed his length as she reached over to the bedside table, rummaging for and eventually finding a condom. She handed it to him. He tilted his head.

"Really?"

"I'm not having some random Hunter's baby."

He nodded. "Fair point."

He quickly put the condom on and dipped his face back down to kiss her. She ran her hands down his back as she parted her legs. His fingers were once again at her her folds, teasing in and out, thumbing at her clit. Andromeda let out a low, breathy moan. "Please..."

Something in his mind clicked at her words. He pulled his hand and lips away, quickly licking off his wet fingers. Andromeda felt herself throb as she watched.

He aligned himself at her entrance and sucked in a breath as he entered. Both of them sighed. He lowered his head down to her ear. "Ready when you are, sweetheart."

Andromeda groaned. "Oh, god...please move."

He started to pump in and out, slow and sensual. He was teasing her. Andromeda's back arched as she gripped his back and moaned. "Faster..."

He started picking up the pace. She held him tight as he fucked her. The sound of skin against skin and breathy moans filled the small room.

The familiar knot in Andromeda's stomach returned. She ran her nails down her back. "Don't stop..."

He groaned in her ear, nipping its lobe. "Not planning on it..." And if at all possible, his pounding became faster. "You feel so good, baby. You're amazing."

"Please..." She begged for release. Her climax was rapidly approaching.

"Come on...come on, baby."

She knew he was close as his thrust became sloppy, and so she wrapped her legs around his waist. With that slight change in angle, he hit the perfect spot and Andromeda reached her crescendo. She cried out a nonsensical word, back arching, nails scrapping his back harshly.

He came soon after, thrusting one last time before pushing himself to the hilt inside her. They stayed there for a moment, still in the darkness as they caught their breaths.

Eventually, he pulled out. Pulling the condom off, he tossed it aside and laid down next to her. Andromeda curled into his side. No more words were exchanged between them. Andromeda drifted off to sleep soon after.

Sunlight woke her the next morning. The stranger was gone. Andromeda sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes. It was back to business as usual.

AUTHORS NOTE

holy shit guys. ummm, so that was my first time writing smut for real for any of my stories. I'm not to sure how to feel about it. I didn't want to make it too graphic, yk? Like I still wanted it to be readable and not just straight up porn.

but besides that, I love this chapter! Andy and Nat's friendship is gonna be a really big part of this story and writing their interactions was just genuinely so enjoyable (kinda based it on my roommate and I's banter).

please please please leave your feedback and feelings about this chapter! thank you for reading!