“Oh—I love your clever brain, Jacob!” Damien laughs, which quickly lightens the mood.
“I guess the years have taught me many lessons, and that’s one of them.” Jacob shrugs, finally dragging his gaze away from mine.
Maybe he’s right. A couple hundred grand isn’t even that much in the big scheme of things. Although it’s much, much more than I’d ever thought I’d have. We should probably figure out what to do with it, invest it in something or whatnot. I don’t want to live off whatever I can snatch from humans anymore. I’m ready to leave that behind.
“So, Jacob—” Damien interrupts my thoughts. I don’t miss his mischievous tone, and I’m already scared of what he’s going tosay next. “Why don’t you stay over tonight? We miss hanging out with you.”
There are a few seconds of silence. Jacob seems slightly startled by Damien’s invitation at first, but he soon nods and smiles, looking at his ex-boyfriend first and then at me.
“Yeah, I suppose I should stay. The journey is far too long for me to go back today. I don’t like driving that much.”
Damien’s evil grin distracts me from the warmth and kindness in Jacob’s gaze. As soon as my eyes land on my brother’s, he mouths the wordsgot himand winks at me.
I’m not sure how, but we did.
Thirty-Two
Killien
Being alone with Jacob makes me far more nervous than I expected.
Our apartment smells heavily of his musk-and-leather perfume, making my pulse ramp up. He looks particularly enticing sitting beside me: legs crossed, tattooed fingers scrolling through his phone, the sleeves of his black shirt rolled up to his elbows, a few silver chain bracelets decorating his wrists as well as a stack of silver necklaces dangling over his chest. We’re alone while Damien takes a shower, random metalcore music videos play on the TV, and the impressive view of the city skyline glows like a live painting beside us.
Honestly, I’ve been thinking of him since the moment he agreed to come see us. I can’t seem to stop reminiscing about the night I fed from him. How good he tasted, the embossment of the ink on his soft olive skin under my fingers, the sounds he made as we drank from him. My throat goes dry, making the moment more awkward than it already is.
“I know you said I didn’t have to, but I want to apologize again,” Jacob says, finally breaking the silence as he leans forward. His phone lands on the polished marble surface of the coffee table before he sits back again. His dark eyes find mine, making my heartbeat thunder in my ears.
“It wasn’t your fault, you were trying to help.”
“I should have just introduced you to Abby.” There’s a sad undertone to his voice as he speaks. “She’s the only one I truly trust. But I wanted to give you more options . . . I was reckless.”
I understand what he’s trying to say. However, the end result of my little adventure with Owen makes it more than worth it to me, as dangerous as it was. Not like I can say that to him, though. I did break his relationship with my brother, as well as his heart in the process.
“I really appreciate what you did, Jacob.” I smile at him, trying my best to push through the uncomfortable knot in my throat. “I haven’t forgotten what you told me about your maker. You tried to make a difference.”
A half smile curls up the corner of his lips, forcing my attention on them. Damn, I really want to kiss him. It’s like I can’t stop thinking about the taste of his blood, and I feel like I’m still high on it. My entire body aches for him, somehow. I’ve never desired another man like this, besides Damien. Although it’s a completely different thing, because this isn’t the same kind of . . . overwhelming love, I guess.
“I should have suggested you drink from Damien, though. Don’t you think?” He laughs, turning his face away from me ashe lets out a long sigh. “Honestly, it made me jealous to think about it. I always knew he was into you, but I wasn’t sure how you felt.”
There’s a short silence while Jacob reclines on the plush cushion behind his back, darting his eyes around the room, trying to hide his smile. He’s the personification of a perfect vampire right now: so handsome and elegant, in a goth kind of way. The black velvet fabric that surrounds him suits him so well I almost find it funny.
“That’s my fault, I guess. I tried really hard to fight it.” I laugh too, surprised by my own thoughts. Every glance I take at Jacob seems to entice me more. I’m desperate to sink my fangs into him, to taste him again. And, this time, I don’t want to restrain myself.
As awkward as this whole situation is, it only seems to turn me on more. Damien’s devious tendencies must have corrupted me, or maybe it’s because I’ve decided to let go of the damn chains that held me back.
Jacob’s nervous laughter intensifies and I find myself turning to look at him again. His gaze is on my face, his smile radiant. My heart skips a beat at the sight of him. I love the way some locks of his almost-black hair have broken free from the loose bun on top of his head. They frame his masculine face perfectly, softening it.
“I can’t believe I failed so terribly at reading the room.” Jacob massages his temple while he continues to laugh. “That night, I thought my blood had made you interested in me . . . But it wasn’t me you wanted, it was just Damien.”
My lips part, but I swallow my words as I hesitate. Should I tell him the truth? Should I say that he wasn’t wrong?
“I totally misunderstood the things you said.” His smile is wide and bright, but his eyes seem sad. “Even after all this time, I keep reading signs the wrong way.”
“You didn’t, though.”
Oh, shit. Did I actually say that?
Jacob stops laughing and stares at me with the most adorable puzzled look on his face. My cheeks and ears burn so much that I must be blushing like a silly teenager. I swallow hard and keep my eyes on his while he tilts his head to the side in confusion.
