“I don’t know. It sounds silly when you say it like that. I don’t think he’d want to die either.”
“Ever since Devon was old enough to understand, he knew what his fate would be. Becoming a vampire isn’t dying, Wren. It’s being reborn without the flaws and weight of humanity holding you back.”
“No offense, right?” I quietly huff. “Being human isn’t horrible, you know.”
“I do. And I know I was faced with death and was ready to go and the choice was taken from me. But I can assure you there hasnever been a day in my afterlife where I wished I had been left to fester and die.”
All I can do is, once again, nod. Keeping a steady hold of Xavier’s hand, I zone out for a little bit, watching the quickly passing surroundings as we speed home.
It feels weird, walking into the large, quiet house. I take off my shoes and go into the kitchen, telling Xavier that I need a drink of water.
“Florence,” Zeke starts, zooming into the kitchen. Before I can react, he pulls me into a big hug. “I am in your debt.”
“How is she?” I ask when he steps back.
“She’ll be just fine.” Zeke smiles and then looks me up and down. “She’s sleeping now.” His eyes flit over me again. “Whatever happened tonight…I’ll tell her later.”
“Good idea,” I reply, relieved I don’t have to go through this with Mabel. I give him a curt nod and then get a big drink of water, exhaling heavily when I’m done drinking.
Xavier meets me at the top of the stairs and catches my wrist when I go to turn down the hall that leads to my room. Our eyes meet and I give him a tiny look of surprise as he gently pulls me the opposite way, toward his room.
Without saying anything, I keep a hold of his hand and follow him. He pushes open double doors and we step into the dark room. I blink, trying to adjust my eyes to the darkness. Xavier lets go of my hand for just a second, turning on a light. I’m surprised by how moody the room is; it fits Xavier perfectly, but is a contrast to the rest of the bright and modern decor in the rest of the house.
Shades are drawn on all the windows, and there is a fireplace across from his large bed, which is neatly made, dark gray blankets neatly tucked in. We cross the room and enter into an equally large and impressive bathroom. He speeds into a giant,tiled shower and turns on the water, then returns and gently starts removing my clothes.
There’s nothing sexual about this, yet every sweep of his fingers, every touch, is tender. Gentle. His gaze lets me know he appreciates what he sees as he strips me naked, but there’s no expectation. He knows I’m tired. Worn. Mentally checked out.
He takes his clothes off too, and we get into the shower together. I look down, watching blood swirl down the drain. Xavier runs his hands over my body, gently rinsing off any dried blood. He kisses my neck and washes my hair for me, allowing me to just stand there and begin to process everything.
My parents are dead.
The Russos killed them in order to take me.
Vivian lied—again—when she said they were alive. She looked me in the eyes and lied as if it was nothing. The hurt alone from that cuts deep. And now it confirms that everything I was told, everything I believed, was a lie.
Xavier takes the shower head in his hands and rinses my hair. I tip my head up, eyes closed, and let the hot water rush over me. I’m clean now, but it’s like I can still feel the blood dripping down my face. I can still smell it. Taste it in the air. Putting the shower head back, Xavier takes me in his arms, folding me against his body. We just stand there, under the water, for a while.
Then I look up, feeling so small and defenseless against him. It should scare me. Remind me that he’s a monster. But it makes me feel safe. All at once, we bring our faces together, kissing each other with fervor.
My arms tangle around him, and he slides his large hands down my body, squeezing my ass before he effortlessly picks me up. He presses me against the cool tiled wall behind us and pulls his head back, looking into my eyes for a moment, making sure I want this. Knowing he’s asking for consent after everything thathappened is so much hotter than I expected. A man who knows his way around my body is a turn on alone, but knowing that he’s also taking my feelings into consideration does me in.
“Xavier,” I pant, pulling his face back to mine. He holds me with ease, lowering me just enough that I can feel the tip of his hard dick rub against me. Craving him with my entire body, I arch my back, wiggling in his arms in a desperation to have him inside me.
“Patience,” he growls and moves his lips to my neck. I gasp when his fangs sink into my skin, warm water running over me as I bleed into his mouth. Keeping my eyes closed, I let my head fall back, resting against the tile behind me. Xavier takes his mouth off my neck and rests his forehead against mine in a quick tender moment before lowering me enough to enter me. Another gasp escapes my lips when that big cock pushes inside me, and his mouth goes back to the puncture wounds on my neck.
He drinks my blood and fucks me at the same time, and I’ve never been more thankful for his vampire strength than I am right now. He easily holds me as if I weigh nothing. I’m clinging to him, legs fastened around his body. I dig my nails into his back and he fucks me harder and faster. His tongue circles the bite wounds and he takes his mouth off me, holding me tightly against him as he continues to fuck me. I cry out with pleasure as I come, body trembling as the orgasm rolls through me.
He sets me down, spins me around, and bends me over. My hands slide down the sleek tile and I reach up again, hooking my fingers on the ledge of the soap niche to keep myself up. He enters from behind, hitting me at a new angle. It doesn’t take long to come again, and this time, he finishes along with me.
Xavier steps back and turns me around. Stars dot my vision as my heart continues to race. I let out a satisfied sigh and hook my arms around Xavier’s neck, holding onto him for support. Gently, he pushes my wet hair back and kisses my forehead.Under the hot water, Xavier’s skin feels as warm as mine. Right now, I wouldn’t know he was a vampire unless I watched for the subtle signs of his chest not rising and falling as he breathes.
It makes me realize all over again that I’m not scared of him because he’s a vampire. He may be a monster, but that’s what makes him relatable.
Because, underneath it all, I think I am a monster too.
Chapter
Five
