IT IS WELL AFTER 8 AM. when Raya appears downstairs, rubbing her eyes. We let them both sleep in today, thinking they could probably use it after the night’s escapades.
Dressed in denim shorts with her shirt tucked in, she looks cute as a button. Her long hair is pulled up into a high ponytail which swishes between her shoulder blades with each step she takes. Her scent washes over me, soothing me in more ways than I care to admit. A delicious sweetness of jasmine, sunshine, and honey blended with the signature aroma of her blood.
‘Good morning,’ I say as she enters the kitchen. ‘Hungry?’
‘Starving,’ she admits, staring around at the variety of food selections I have spread out on the benchtop.
I want this for us. Waking up in the morning, having a routine. I wish it was that easy. A big part of me wants to give in to the bond. Let it strengthen. Deal with the consequences of that later. But it isn’t just me involved here, and I care too much about her and the life she deserves.
‘I made toast, and eggs,’ I say, pointing to one side. ‘And then over here are croissants and fruit.’
‘How much do you think humans eat?’ She grins, flattening down a piece of her hair that’s come loose. Tracking her movements, my eyes roam down her slender neck, taking in every beautiful part of her.
I shrug, wiping my hands on my jeans. ‘I wasn’t sure what you liked. We can keep the rest for tomorrow.’
‘I can’t believe you made all of this. You don’t even eat.’
‘I eat some things,’ I say with a smirk, winking at her.
Blushing, she takes a seat at the kitchen bench, perching on one of the stools beside it.
‘Water? Orange juice?’ I ask.
‘Juice, please.’
I fill the glass and slide it across to her. She loads up her plate, filling it more than I expected from a tiny girl like her. She moans as she takes a bite. Blood rushes to my groin at the sound and I clench my jaw, wrestling with the emotions threatening to take over.
‘Why are you looking at me all serious like that?’ She raises an eyebrow. ‘Are you hungry?’
Considering I had a healthy dose of blood last night, I probably shouldn’t be craving her blood as strongly as I am right now. Swallowing, I nod anyway.
‘Is anyone awake?’ she asks, glancing toward the ceiling.
I shake my head. ‘No.’
Standing, she moves around to my side of the counter, pushing herself onto it, her legs dangling over the edge. She yanks her shirt over her head, exposing her smooth skin and a black bra that barely contains her breasts. My hands curl into fists as my fangs snap out, desire coursing through me.
It was probably a mistake saying we could do things and not go all the way. I don’t want to rush into things with her, but it is so damn difficult trying to hang on to my self-control and not give in.
She consumes me. All of me.
Grinning, she leans back on her palms, tilting her head back. Moving toward her on the counter, I push between her legs, spreading her thighs. Slowly, my hand travels up from her hip, tracing the delicate lines of her body. I twirl a piece of her dark hair around my finger. I touch the violet streak and give it a slight tug. My mouth salivates at her proximity.
Kissing her skin softly, I sink my fangs into her, and we both moan. Pressing harder into her, I drink a little deeper, while my other hand moves between her legs, and I walk my fingers up her inner thigh. Her breath hitches as my finger slides against her entrance.
‘Will Cas hear this?’ she half moans, half whispers, eyes snapping open as she looks toward the door.
‘Don’t worry about him, legata una,’ I say firmly. ‘Eyes on me.’
When her lips part, I lean forward, taking her lower lip between my teeth, sucking on it. I groan into her mouth when my fingers become slick with her desire. Pushing one inside, I bite into her neck. Throwing her head back, she moans, simultaneously bucking her hips. Adding another finger, I move them quickly. With the way her legs tighten around my waist, I know I’ve hit the spot. Coming undone, she whimpers as her orgasm crashes through her. Her legs tremble as she rides it out, sagging back against the bench afterwards. Slowly inching out of her, I drag her close and kiss her again as I bring my hand to her mouth.
‘Taste yourself, legata una.’
Her tongue snakes out, dragging up and down my fingers before sucking them, tasting every bit of the climax that I created. Removing my fingers from her mouth, I place my hands back onto her hips.
‘The best breakfast,’ I murmur, kissing the tip of her nose, as I step back.
Coldness washes over me at the sudden lack of contact, and as I increase the distance between us, the lust fades, and the anger I so often feel towards myself rises. I hate the lack of control I have when it comes to her. It makes this so much more difficult.
Shaking my head, trying to clear my thoughts, I start tidying up the kitchen simply to keep my hands preoccupied.
‘What is the plan for today?’ she asks, pulling her shirt back over her head and combing her fingers through her hair, looking as flustered as I feel.
‘I thought we might explore the town. And while doing so, I’m going to do some digging. Try to see what people know.’
‘How are you going to do that?’
‘You leave that to me,’ I say, turning around and offering her a small smile. With the afterglow of what we just did evident on her face, she looks even more beautiful somehow.
She has almost finished eating when Alex staggers down, his hair standing up at odd angles. He yawns, rubbing his hands over his face roughly. He pauses, blinking down at the selection of food before him.
‘Woah,’ he says.
‘Hunter cooked this for us.’
‘You did?’ Alex asks in surprise, looking over at me. ‘Is it . . . edible?’
I roll my eyes. ‘Yes. Eat up before it goes cold.’
As Alex picks at the food, I turn my back on them, gripping the counter, trying to reign in my control after what we just did. I glance outside a few times. I can’t hear Cas at all, which makes me think he is out.
Alex and Raya are ready to go when Cas strolls through the door, barefoot. His hair is a mess from the wind. He grins and waves as he walks into the kitchen where we are all seated.
‘Hello, hello,’ he says, dressed head-to-toe in a skintight outfit that looks like a swimsuit, but different. Some sort of sun-resistant clothing, perhaps. ‘Beautiful morning, isn’t it?’
‘Sure is.’ Raya smiles, meeting my eyes briefly before blushing.
‘Where have you been?’ Alex asks, peering over at Cas with interest.
‘Went for a 20km run, then a swim. Finished off the morning with a beautiful surfer lad’s lips wrapped around my co – ’ I clear my throat. Cas grins. ‘Anyway, let’s just say I have had a great start to the day.’
Me and you both, brother.
Raya wrinkles her nose while Alex looks a little more intrigued than I like the look of.
‘We are ready to leave when you are,’ I say.
Nodding, he disappears for a few moments, and returns dressed in his usual attire, ready to go. We follow him out the door. A black Porsche sits in his driveway with a shiny red bow placed on top of it.
‘There you go,’ Cas says, tossing the keys at Alex. ‘Your wish is my command.’
Alex’s jaw almost hits the ground as he gapes at the sleek black car in front of him.
‘You really got me a car?’ he splutters.
‘You ask, I deliver.’
‘No way . . .’ he breathes, rushing over to it and sliding his hands along the side of it. ‘This is mine?’
‘Yep,’ Cas says.
‘I could kiss you right now,’ Alex exclaims, racing around to the other side of the car and practically dives into it, his reservations about vampires seeming to be nonexistent right now.
‘You’d enjoy it too much,’ Cas says. ‘You’d become obsessed with me. Then things would get awkward.’
Raya giggles, but Alex isn’t listening to him. His eyes light up as he gazes in awe around the interior of the car. I’ve never seen the dude so happy.
‘I installed a subwoofer, just like mine,’ Cas explains, gesturing to the backseat of the car. ‘It’s worth it, trust me.’
Alex is speechless. I mentally note this, since it is a rare occasion.
‘Thank you,’ Raya mouths to Cas.
He smiles, nodding at her.
‘I call shotgun,’ he says.
I slide into the backseat and Raya sits on my lap, since yet again, the backseat is taken over by the giant sound system. Swallowing down everything raging inside me, I try my best not to touch her with my hands or even look at her. I’ve let my guard down too much. The temptation to go further with her is overwhelming. I need to cool it and remember what is most important right now – finding her sister.
The car lurches forward and she almost slams into the seat in front of her. I whip my hand out, stopping her from flying forward. Alex sends a sheepish look over his shoulder.
‘Whoops.’
‘Hold on,’ I mutter.
Raya reaches out, touching my hand. A part of me wants to pull away from her, but I just can’t force myself to do it.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asks in concern.
Pressing my forehead to her shoulder, I sigh. ‘I have a lot on my mind.’
The conversation I had last night with Cas plays in my mind.
I have no idea what the hell I am meant to do. Whatever decisions I make, there are pros and cons to both.
Exhaling heavily, I close my eyes, wishing all of this wasn’t so damn difficult.