WARNING: This story contains mature content that may not be suitable for some readers.

A-LIST MODEL, Fortune seen with lingerie model, Isabella De Rossi walking the fregene beach in Italy...

Rolling his eyes, Ben tossed his phone onto the kitchen counter and poured himself a large glass of wine. All cologne ads looked the same. Always black and white photos with two half-naked people pressed up against each other. The perfume bottle nowhere to be found.

Ben's furrowed brow forced his glasses down the bridge of his nose, and he pushed them back up. It was annoying how good the two models looked together. Ben wouldn't fit anywhere in this picture.

The phone buzzed, rattling against the counter and at first, Ben's stomach dropped, thinking it might be another notification about Fortune.

Turning on a news alert about the model was a new low. Even for Ben.

Pathetic just hired a new poster child.

Thankfully, it wasn't. It was his best friend calling and Ben answered without trying to hide his misery. "Hi, Lincoln. What is it?"

Lincoln snorted. "You sound bubbly as ever. What's on your mind?"

Sighing, Ben glanced around his gorgeous brownstone apartment and wondered how depression could exist in such a beautiful place. Misery shouldn't survive with all this exposed brick, hardwood floors, and white kitchen cabinets.

This was the height of adult luxury and yet, he was throwing a pity party with a guest list of one.

Ben took a sip of wine and decided to avoid the truth. Jiggling his mouse, Ben's laptop screen awakened. He glanced through the mess of his first draft mocking him in his word document. "What would you wear if you were a vampire on the run?"

The sigh from Lincoln was not lost through the receiver. "I'm sorry I asked."

"I hate describing clothes." He glanced down at the basketball shorts he had owned since college and the t-shirt stained by his coffee from this morning. "I don't even know how to dress myself."

"Just google what hot men wear. Nobody cares what he's wearing. Readers only care about how quickly he's going to take it all off. I didn't call to talk vampire romance. I wanna know how your date with Tim went last night!"

"Oh, yeah." Ben grabbed his wine, happy for the excuse not to write, and walked to living room. He melted into the couch, grateful for the cool leather during this hot summer night. "The food was good, and the movie was alright. I'm not a big sci-fi guy."

Waiting for some sort of reply, Ben suffered a moment too long in silence. "What?" Ben's voice cracked, already feeling defensive. "It was fine!"

"Be still my beating heart."

"What's that mean?"

"Good? Alright? Fine?" Ben could hear Lincoln roll his eyes. Probably the whole tri-state area felt its breeze. Lincoln's sarcasm didn't end there. It'd be a slow death for Ben's dignity. "No wonder you're a romance author. The word picture you paint is truly one of epic romance."

Lincoln pleaded with him, "I want details, Ben! Like, how did he look? What was the atmosphere? Are you willing to talk about how the night ended in juicy detail?"

"It was-"

Lincoln cut in faster than a hot blade through butter. "I'll put you in time out if you say fine again."

"I'd like to see that-" Ben laughed, when a knock on his window made his bones jump. Wine splashed off the lip of his glass and all over his shirt. With a curse, Ben whirled around to see Nino Ventura hanging off his window, tapping the glass. Ben almost swallowed his tongue, gawking, "Nino?"

"Nino?" Lincoln groaned. "Don't tell me he's here. Isn't he in Italy-"

"Bye, Lincoln. Talk to you later."

"Wait!"

Eyes widened, Nino knocked on the window again, and Ben raced over. He unlocked the  three different ways to open the window and quickly yanked Nino into the apartment. "What are you-?"

All week, Ben had made over a thousand wishes.

He watched in awe as a broad-shouldered man stepped out onto his living room floor, wearing shiny leather shoes, a black suit with a black tie and a red pocket square.

It seemed sometimes wishes could come true. The model Fortune, or Nino Ventura, was back in the city.

Nino slapped his hand over Ben's mouth, pressing down as his other arm curled around his back and Nino's cologne overwhelmed Ben's senses. Nino whipped Ben around, backing him into the glass.

His scowl dragging down the length of Ben's body, Nino whispered, "Is there anyone here?"

Ben's eyes widened, his stomach dropping to his toes. He shook his head.

"Wait here."

Nino moved Ben to his armchair in the corner and, in a flash, too quick for Ben's eyes, Nino vanished upstairs. Anxiety crept across Ben's edges, curling around him like spider legs. Every whine from the floorboard and creak of a door opening made Ben's heart swell up, each time blocking off the air from his throat. Tense all over, Ben didn't dare move, or maybe he couldn't. Was this because of fear or was it a compulsion?

Returning, Nino's brow remained furrowed as he looked around the room again. "The coast is clear, but I don't know why my guy called me over nothing. Maybe it's time he retires from the position-"

"Hey, are you going to just talk to yourself?" Ben asked. "Or can I be included?"

Sheepishly, Nino rubbed the back of his neck like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "I got a guy that watches over this apartment-"

Ben's jaw dropped. "You have what?"

"A guy. It's just in case." Nino raised his hands, slightly amused.

"Just in case what?"

Nino rolled his eyes. "You already know what. I think it's a miracle you haven't been gobbled up by now." Just the words made Ben shiver. He glanced back at the window, letting Nino run his mouth as he locked the window back, even though he already let a monster inside. "You smell like a Feast, and it'd take just one drop for another vampire to notice and then, it'll be over for you. There's no way you can fight a vampire. You have trouble opening pickle jars."

"Just say you're worried about me, Nino." Ben steadied himself, turning to face him again with a smile that faltered at Nino's grim expression.

"I've never met a Feast, Ben."

Ben wilted. "So, you're just worried about losing out on a meal. Are you hungry?" Ben asked, gingerly touching Nino's face and rubbing his thumb across the bags underneath Nino's eyes. Those usually weren't there. Nino took his hand and pressed a cold kiss to his palm, sending a stray firework down Ben's spine.

"Ravenous," Nino said, and, in his smile, Ben could see two fangs sticking out.

Taking a deep breath, Ben tried to prepare himself, but it went against human nature, opening yourself to this kind of pain. Being so willingly close to death. Ben was never ready. Nino pulled Ben's arm over his shoulder, slipping a cool hand around his neck with his other arm secure around his back and all Ben had to do was stand there limply like a doll. Nino kissed the crook of Ben's neck and awakened an army of goosebumps down Ben's limbs.

The next kiss nipped at Ben's skin, and Ben jumped, thinking it was it. Not quite. Smiling, Nino kissed him one more time before Nino's fangs sunk into his neck and a pained cry croaked from Ben's mouth.

Only three keys in the world opened Ben Robinson's apartment.

One in Ben's pocket, one attached to Lincoln's key ring for emergencies, and another owned by Nino, who pays the monthly rent and expenses. In exchange, all Ben had to do was feed this vampire.

"Nino..." Ben whispered, surprised how breathless he sounded, like he just ran a 5k (even though running was against Ben's coach potato religion). Something in Nino's venom numbed his skin and replaced all the pain with a warm, molten lava feeling.

Retracting his fangs, Nino licked the little punctures, and Ben shivered. It made Nino smile, and he dragged his nose up the length of Ben's neck just for him to shiver again.

"I've missed that," Nino whispered. He brought his head up, face still so close. "So very human with every sensitive reaction."

"I'm sorry I have to break this to you, but I am human." Ben smiled, flushed from the top of his ears to the curl of his toes. This was all foreplay. Funny how they both knew where this was going to end up, but Nino wasn't in a rush. Just like on Halloween, Nino liked to play pretend as a human.

Nino grinned wider, grabbing the backs of Ben's legs and hoisted him up. Ben laughed in a giddy surprise and started kissing Nino again. Unlike other guys, Nino kissed with enthusiasm. Nino kissed Ben like he enjoyed kissing, like it was one of his favorite parts. Half vampire. Half kissing demon.

Ben couldn't blame him. He'd be obsessed with doing whatever he was good at. It was why Ben slept, ate, and scrolled Twitter so much.

"Nino," Ben whispered between kisses. "What does my blood taste like?"

Nino hummed in wonder and kissed Ben again before he said, "You taste like liquid sunshine."

"So... like orange juice?"

Nino's head tipped back in a roar of laughter. That always felt like a win. Nino shook his head as he approached the stairs that would lead to Ben's bedroom. He carried Ben up like it was absolutely nothing. "Hilarious, but no..." He looked up adoringly at Ben as Ben grabbed handfuls of his hair, enjoying the softness. Nino's dark eyes glazed over, and Ben thought all his insides were melting into puddles. "You taste the way I imagine starlight does, like champagne made of the universe. It's indescribable, Ben. I've never tasted anything like you."

Nino was right.

Ben didn't understand.

Five years ago, Nino told Ben he was what all vampires desired, calling him a "feast". A human could feed a vampire for a few days but then, the vampire would need to hunt again. After Nino drank Ben's blood, he was full for months. Ben understood the irony that he was literally a sugar baby to this rich vampire, but it was worth it for the apartment, the lack of expenses, and time to write his books. Nights like this when Nino was so tangled up in Ben, it was like the blood was secondary.

Pleasure became the highest priority.

Smiling on the way back to Nino's lips, Ben held his face and tried to show Nino with his mouth how special he thought Nino was tonight. Humming in delight, Nino ran his free hand up Ben's back. Taking inspiration, Ben ran his teeth down Nino's bottom lip, staring right into Nino's burning eyes. He had that look. That last drop of water looks. It was all sparks. Fireworks. Flames licking Ben's core. The truth crushed Ben once again under its terrible weight. Tonight would linger in his mind. The next time he went on a date, the next time he was kissing some other guy. Nothing was as perfect as kissing Nino Ventura.

"You really are my favorite part of the city," Nino said, a low growl to his tone. He kicked Ben's bedroom door open, and Ben laughed at his speed towards the bed.

"I bet you say that to all your meals," Ben pretended to scold him, his smile giving him away.

Nino dropped on the bed, and Ben bounced in his lap. "Off."

Per his instructions, Ben slipped his shirt off and over his head, tossing it behind him quickly to get his hands back on Nino's shoulders. Nino buried his face in Ben's chest, kissing and nibbling a line down his chest, making red marks where he went.

Ben flushed again. In the worst way. Not because of the heat between them or the press of his cock against Nino's equally impressive hard on. But in an unfortunate high school crush way. The guy he liked was here. His crush was on his bed, making out with him like he needed to put in the hours at work. What made it all worse was knowing Nino could hear Ben's heart skip more than a beat. His heart went headfirst, tumbling, crashing, and splattering down the stairs. His middle name was "mess".

And Nino just smiled.

Ben's heart went down another flight of stairs.

Flipping Ben onto his back, Nino hopped off the bed and started removing his suit, layers of fabric revealing his incredible body. It was like he was airbrushed in real life with his chiseled chest and washboard abs. If Ben drooled anymore, he'd drown in his own spit.

So smooth, Nino slid back onto the bed and Ben welcomed him with open arms and legs and in the same motion, he grinded against Ben's middle and Ben replied with another. Hornier than he'd been in months, Ben was bumping and grinding and moaning in the most pathetic way. He always envisioned playing it cool in front of this vampire, but something about Nino made him so stupid. Stupider than he ever wanted to be.

Nino's fangs sunk back into his neck and Ben dug his nails into Nino's shoulder, his body tensing up as pain turned to pleasure. In an instant something harder inside of Nino's pants was already slamming into him.

"Dammit, Nino," Ben yelped as Nino rubbed his hand down Ben's crotch, rubbing his hard on through the fabric and Ben bit out another curse. Too much was coming at Ben at once, and it was his ultimate undoing.

"Pants off," Nino instructed next and helped Ben remove his shorts and underwear, letting the fabric hang by his ankle. Nino's body was immediately on top of him again. Ben sighed, so happy to feel that pressure. He leaned into Nino's crotch, sliding against it. He wasn't above begging.

Nino grinned, his mouth covered in Ben's blood until he wiped it away, and Ben pulled at his belt. All smiles, Nino licked his lips and kissed Ben again and Ben leaned up, pulled down his pants so that Nino escaped the rest of the way.

"Are you alright?" He asked Ben, brushing his cheek and staring at his face. "Can I have a little more?"

"I'm good," Ben assured him, rocking his hips. "Bite me."

"The best," Nino said in gratification, but he didn't immediately dive back for his neck. Nino's hand curled around the end of Ben's shaft, pumping up once, twice, and driving Ben up the wall. He unfurled against the bed, pushing against Nino's grip as the vampire pumped. Ben was so distracted by the pleasure; he forgot Nino was devouring him again. Like the fourth shot after a night of partying, the third bite was easy. The pain went down much smoother. Nino's hand didn't stop, rubbing him up and down, his precum dripping down his shaft and Ben was squirming, overloaded by the burning delight fizzling inside of him from top to bottom. The sensation built to the apex and Ben shuddered.

"I'm cumming!" As he warned, his thighs pressed against Nino's sides as Nino pulled the orgasm right out of Ben like he knew its destination by heart, without a map. The deal amounted to this. Two people deriving food and pleasure from the other. It was symbiotic.

Nino licked up his neck, healing the bite and replacing it with a hickey. Dropping against the bed, it bounced as Nino let out a huge sigh. Sleepily, Nino strung his arm underneath Ben and cradled him closer, pressing a kiss against his hair. Ben stifled a laugh, hitching his chin up against Nino's chest. He asked, "You wanna go for another round?"

"In a minute," Nino said, but his eyes were closed shut. "Let me rest."

Ben laughed at him. "Do you get sleepy on a full stomach?"

Nino smiled tiredly and nodded. "That and I haven't rested in a few days."

"No?" Ben frowned. "Not even on the plane?"

"Too anxious," he admitted, probably drunk on blood. Maybe Ben should've warned him about the two glasses of wine. Then, Ben remembered the whole reason he even came over, and a fondness feathered through Ben's face.

Dragging his finger down the bridge of Nino's nose, Ben asked. "Were you that worried about me?"

"I always worry about you."

Ben's heart swelled up, threatening to pop out. It reassured Ben that all the time he was thinking of Nino, Nino was thinking of him too.

"You're dinner and a place to stay. It's perfect," he joked, but Ben didn't find it funny. Ben fell back on the bed, glancing at Nino and wondering if he was already asleep. He closed his eyes.

Some details he didn't have to know. Sometimes he'd rather be blissfully unaware that his crush on Nino Ventura was one sided, that Nino saw him as friends with benefits than an actual, potentially romantic partner. He didn't need the constant reminder that they were from different worlds.

Ben believed wholeheartedly that Nino was himself around Ben... but he was keeping something a secret. There was more to his story than a cologne model from Italy. There had to be more to his vampire side. Had to be a whole other life.

And maybe Ben was a fool, but he's been hooked on this man ever for five years when he introduced himself as "Nino Ventura. Ventura means good fortune, which means you're lucky to have met me."

Ben didn't know when he fell asleep, but he knew when he woke up. It was the crack of dawn and Nino had his arms around him, resting his head on Ben's chest. Someone rang the doorbell. It buzzed, rattling around in Ben's brain. Someone had replaced his muscles with cement, and he had trouble pushing Nino's arm.

"Hey," he grumbled.

Nino didn't budge.

"Hey, there's someone at the door. Aren't you worried about my well-being?" He shook Nino's arm again, but nothing. No reaction. Ben rolled his eyes and unraveled Nino's arms and carefully got back to his feet. He had made the mistake once of getting up too fast and hit the floor even faster. He rummaged around for some clothes without coffee, wine, or blood stains and walked down the stairs.

"Hello?" Ben said as he approached the door. "Who is it?" He checked through the peephole and a little girl stood alone on his stoop. She stared blankly forward, and Ben's curiosity got the best of him. "Hi, can I help you?" Ben opened the door, and another body stepped in front of the child.

A woman pulled down her sunglasses to reveal blood-red eyes. Vampire eyes. Her fangs protruding from her smile, she said in a sickly sweet voice, "Hello. You must be Ben Robinson, correct? Be a dear and invite me in, won't you?"