“I’m starting to think you’re not worthy to be in mine right now. You’re being a dick.”
“I’m being honest.”
“There’s a way to go about it, and whatever this is, isn’t it. Being an arrogant asshole isn’t flattering for anyone.”
“Funny, that’s what you like abouthim.” He laughs, flashing his fangs. “I get it. I was weak. Pathetic. You suggested running away and then never did because deep down, you know you’re weak too.”
“What is wrong with you?” I lean back, abhorrence on my face and then shake my head. “You’ve been a vampire for like two days. You’re adjusting and not thinking clearly because the Devon I knew wouldn't say these things.”
“I’m realizing my true potential.”
“Okay, Andrew Tate. We can talk again when you’re feeling more like yourself.” I extend my hand, fingers touching his forehead. “Somnum,” I say, casting the sleep spell. He slumps to the ground, head hitting the coffee table on the way down. I wince, glad he’s a fast healer now.
I want to be mad at him. I want to call him out and tell him what an asshole he is. Instead, guilt rips through me. Devon didn’t want to be turned. He didn’t want his humanity ripped away. Was Xavier lying just to make me feel better when he said people don’t really change when they turn, they just lose the fear they once had?
I can’t believe Devon wasn’t really a good person. He was kind and caring and smart enough to challenge things, even when he knew it was risky. Now he’s angry and full of himself. This isn’t him.
Feeling unsettled, I go upstairs and change into a dark gray sweatsuit. Not wanting to sit inside, I get the Book of Shadows Mabel got for me and go outside into the garden. There was a new moon several days ago, and the sky is cloudless and dark. Setting the book down on the little, white cast iron table and go to the koi pond.
“You guys are lucky,” I tell the fish. “You just swim and swim and eat and then swim. You don’t have to worry about anything else.” I watch them for a while and then turn and look out at how pretty the garden is. Pulling the hood over my head to keep the mosquitoes away, I sit cross-legged on the cobblestone and let my vision blur as I look at the fish. There’s a little bubbling fountain in the middle of the pond, making the most peaceful sound of moving water.
“I wish you were alive, Mom,” I whisper into the dark. “Everything has gotten so complicated, and I don’t know how to protect everyone…or if they even deserve protecting.” I pick up a fallen leaf and tear it into little pieces, dropping them back onto the ground. The energy shifts, and I can sense it is Xavier. “You were right.” I turn my head, watching him silently move down the path. “It does bother me.”
“What’s bothering you?” he asks softly and comes right up behind me, sinking down onto the ground so his legs go around me. I lean back against his chest.
“How fucked up it is that Vivian killed my mom to take over the role. How did she do it? I had no idea. I really thought she loved me.”
“A part of her probably did even though she wasn’t supposed to.”
“I hope so. She is a mom so you’d think that maternal instinct would kick in, right?”
“I don’t know.” He pulls my hair back and gently kisses the nape of my neck. It sends a chill through me. “But what I do know is how incredible you were tonight.”
“You’re not mad?”
“You went about things in a different way than I would have preferred,” he starts, saying each word patiently. “If it were anyone else, Wren…” His lips go to my neck again. “I haven’t felt the sun in seven hundred years, but being next to you, I remember what it feels like.”
My breath hitches in my chest and I turn so I can kiss him. Our arms tangle around each other and Xavier lays back, pulling me on top of him. Desire floods my veins and I feel so much for him right now. I’m straddling him, and his hands slip under my shirt, making me gasp from his cold skin against mine.
He’s dressed in another suit tonight, and the man knows what works for him. He doesn’t just look like an old-timey ganger, he has the balls to back it up. The jacket is off, but there are still too many layers between the both of us, and I desperately undo his belt. I get the button undone on his pants and he grabs my wrists, pulling my hands up to his shoulders.
In a graceful move, he picks me up, speeding around to the other side of the koi pond, and sits us down on a bench. I’m straddling him, rubbing myself against his hardening cock. His large hands settle on my waist, bunching up my sweatshirt and I hook my arms around his shoulders, rising up on my knees so he can pull my shirt off. I’m wearing a thin red bra, nipples visible through the lace.
“You are so beautiful,” he growls, mouth going to my breasts the second he pulls my bra down. I rock my hips against his, getting wetter and wetter as he flicks his tongue, circling my nipple. Holding onto him, I arch my back and let my head fall tothe side, eyes fluttering shut. Bright stars dot the sky above us and a soft breeze blows through the air, bringing with it the scent of cut grass and a mix of flowers from the garden. “And you are mine.”
There is something so fucking hot about hearing him say that. Inhaling, I press my fingers into his shoulders and bring my head down, forehead against his. I can see his fangs glinting in the starlight and I bring a hand up to his face, fingers landing on his cheek.
He could rip me to shreds in seconds. Heisstronger. Faster. We’re not equal in that way. But our differences don’t make me lesser. Sitting here, staring into the eyes of a killer—my killer—I know there is no one better matched for me than Xavier Malus.
Slowly, I bring my finger to his lips and then touch one of his fangs. He locks eyes with me and gently presses the tip of his fang into my finger, hard enough to hurt but not hard enough to break through the skin. He lowers my hand and kisses me before standing up with me in his arms. He sets me down and spins me around. One hand lands on my shoulder and he pushes me down so I’m slightly bent over, gripping onto the railing surrounding the little pond. His splayed fingers slowly trace down my spine and then he steps forward, gathering my hair into his other hand.
His cock presses against me and I close my eyes, body humming with anticipation as he slides his hand forward along my side, moving slow on purpose to tease me. Unable to wait any longer, I push his hand inside my pants and gasp when his long fingers sweep over my clit. Moving with expertise, he keeps working his fingers until I come. I grip the railing, legs shaking as wetness spills from me, soaking his hand.
He grips my hair tighter and presses his cock harder against me. “Be a good girl and take off your pants,” he growls in my ear.
Not sure how I’m going to keep from falling on the ground as my body is still reacting to the intense orgasm, I fumble as I one-handed pull my sweatpants down. They slide down to my feet once I get them to my knees, and I grab the railing again, holding on for support as I step out of them.
I’m fully naked, standing here in the dark garden. And Xavier hasn’t lost a single article of clothing—yet. Sucking in a breath, I spin around and drop to my knees. Xavier lets out a grunt and widens his legs, keeping a hold of my hair. I undo his pants and pull them down, freeing his large dick. Licking my lips, I look up at him, eyes open, as I take him as far as I can into my mouth. Then I get to work, gagging as I suck his cock. I cup his balls with one hand and use my other to slide up and down his thick shaft.
