They caught one of the cabs that crawled through the district, lingering outside the clubs and waiting to take inebriated patrons home. Alexander opened the door for Shirley and scooted in after her, his hand never leaving hers. The cabdriver, a middle-aged man with short cropped hair and a tidy beard, paused the conversation he was having over his bluetooth headset long enough to listen to Shirley's address. With a curt nod, he veered into traffic, the sudden acceleration pushing Alexander closer to Shirley.

The small screen installed in the rear of the driver's seat came to life. A chipper and spray-tanned blonde man was talking about tourist attractions in the city. His college-football-announcer voice obscuring the driver's phone conversation. "Make him shut up," Shirley complained, reaching to hit the mute button on the volume control panel.

"I hope it's not a long ride," Alexander said as he leaned over, reaching one hand to cup her cheek, and kissed her.

As soon as their lips touched, need overwhelmed him, and he deepened his kiss. She reciprocated. Her hands ran through his hair, pulling his mouth closer to hers. Their bodies pressed into the leather seats. A sudden bump in the road caused them to shift. Shirley leaned back and spread her legs. She tugged on the front of Alexander's shirt, guiding him on top of her. He had to move one hand to the edge of the seat to keep balance as the cab continued to drive.

"Hey, keep your dick in your pants!" the driver hollered, glaring at them in the rearview mirror. "Have some respect for my cab."

Alexander stifled a laugh as he sat back up. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me," he whispered into Shirley's ear.

"I know what came over you. I did, baby." She sucked at her lower lip. "Don't worry, my apartment is on the next block."

As the cab pulled over, Alexander reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet. He grabbed several large bills and handed them to the driver. "Sorry for the show. Keep the change."

When the cab's door had shut, Shirley led them through a short picket-fence gate and to the side of a three-story wood-framed house. Flood lights came on as they ascended a flight of creaky stairs. At the second landing, she punched in a code on the door and swung it open. "Welcome to my home, baby," she said, inviting him to follow.

The entrance led to an eat-in kitchen. Pickles greeted them, jumping up from the white linoleum floor to a tiled counter. The cat meowed, her tail straight in the air. "Hey beautiful," Alexander introduced himself, giving the feline a scratch under her chin. She immediately purred, not bothered at all by having a vampire in her home.

"Don't let her fool you. She has plenty of food and gets plenty of attention." Shirley took Alexander's hand and led him down a dimly lit hallway with several closed doors. She turned a knob, revealing her bedroom.

It was smaller than his bedroom, but the open window above her bed offered what must have been a spectacular view during the day. A criss-cross of streets sloped down below, ending at the bay. On a moonless night, even with his enhanced vision, Alexander could just make out the glimmer on the water. The reflection of city lights coming from both the east and the west shores. But he could only imagine how far you'd be able to see when it was clear. All the boats in the harbor. The mountains in the distance. Sunrise must be amazing.

Shirley kicked off her shoes and then stood next to Alexander, placing her hand on the small of his back.

"Hey," he said, smiling down at her.

She responded by kissing him. A quick peck followed by a longer one. "No cab driver to stop us," she said with an impish grin, stepping backwards towards the bed.

"Thank goodness," Alexander whispered as he kicked off his own shoes and stepped closer. He took his hands, and starting at her neck, caressed downward, feeling the shape of her. When he had reached her hips, he pushed gently, guiding her the rest of the way to the bed. She obliged, spreading her legs as she sat on the mattress edge.

Standing between her legs, he leaned forward. She moved back. And soon, they were both on the bed, on top of the covers, their bodies parallel, his mouth on hers, hands groping.

"Let me know how to touch you," Shirley moaned as Alexander worked at the zipper on the back of her dress. His mouth migrating from her lips, to her chin, and then down her jawline.

He kissed her neck. Her pulse was so strong. Right there. Right under his lips. He was swelling with need. His fangs ached and dripped with saliva. "Have you... ever been bitten before?" he asked as he continued to fumble at the zipper, getting it down a few inches at a time.

"No, but... oh yes, baby... but, don't do it yet." She grabbed at the buttons on his shirt and tugged at his belt.

"Here, let me." Alexander sat back on his knees, tearing at his own clothes, discarding his dress-shirt on the floor. Then he rolled over and shimmied out of his slacks and pulled off his socks, throwing them in a crumple. She did the same with her dress, slipping it off and flinging it across the room.

For a moment, all he could do was stare in disbelief. All her flesh was laid out in front of him like a banquet. Delicious and smooth caramel. Soft and supple. His mouth was so full of wanting that he could barely swallow down his lust. And he was so overwhelmed with awe that it took him a moment to realize that he was also revealed. Not naked, but still vulnerable. His nylon binder was snug against his chest. Only the thin fabric of his boxer-briefs hid his packer.

Everything hushed as their eyes explored each other's bodies for the first time. No one moved or spoke until their eyes caught hold of each other's again. "Come here, baby," she said and called him forward with a flick of her finger. He obeyed, slowly sliding his hand up her thigh, over her hip, past her stomach. Laying his head next to hers, he caressed at her cheek and she reached for his face. "I want to feel all of you."

He hesitated. Although he knew his body better than any human would ever understand–having inhabited its unchanging form for centuries when a human's body aged every day–he still demurred. Not out of shame. The disconnect he felt between his body's sex and his ingrained gender wasn't shame. But some of his boundaries were old. And she was very new.

"Okay." He nodded. "You can feel me. But you may not fondle." He emphasized the words.

"Baby," was all she said. But the way she said it let him know she understood.

With a little effort and much skill, he peeled off his binder, exposing both his natural form and the red imprints that he endured daily. His flesh exposed, he leaned forward, pressing his skin against hers.

Their mouths found each other again. Their hands explored. Tentative caresses evolved into grasping and groping. Soon she was grinding against him. A rhythm of need building to a crescendo.

"Alexander, please," she said as she ran her nails down his back and guided his hands to where her want was greatest.

"I need you. Now." His fangs grazed against her neck. He didn't think he could resist much longer.

"Yes! Now!" she screamed, pressing against him harder.

He nibbled gently at her neck. A teasing bite to test if she was ready for him. When her moan deepened, he opened his jaw and bit down. As his fangs entered her, his mouth filled with a rush of blood. He sucked greedily, plunging himself deeper inside. He lapped at her, satiating himself. Filling himself with her life force. Ecstasy overwhelmed him, and he was wracked with convulsions of pleasure.

"Oh my god," she sighed when he had finished.

Slowly he pulled out his fangs, and he licked at her neck, the coagulating enzymes in his saliva helping to stop the bleeding. "You are amazing," he said as he nuzzled his nose into the crook just below her earlobe.

"That was amazing." She curled against him, the warmth of her body floating through him, covering him like a blanket.

Alexander licked his lips, savoring every drop of her flavor. Then he kissed the top of her head and enfolded her in his arms as he closed his eyes and drifted off into a satisfied slumber.