Even as the exquisite sensation splintered him, Mirakel knew they had to stop this. If not…
Well, fuck, they’d be right back where he’d been before her arrival.
Bijou had noticed a change in themansion for the past week. Ever since everyone had disappeared for two days. And by everyone, she meant every single soul in the place except for the humans. She wasn’t sure where they’d gone, but even with their return, there was a difference in the place.
For one, that strange sexual energy had ceased. Thank Heaven for that. Right before their disappearance, it had gotten brutally intense within the walls of the angels’ residence, more so because Bijou had absolutely no outlet for her sexual frustration.
Not since their encounter in the sauna had Oliver spoken more than two words to her. No more playing pool, no swimming, no movies. Their interactions had halted altogether, and she knew it was her fault. She’d all but insisted he take care of her, and oh, boy, had he. When Oliver’s mouth had gone … where it had gone, she’d thought she was having an out-of-body experience. Never had an orgasm consumed her entire being until then. Probably for the best since the only ones she’d experienced had been self-inflicted, and it looked as though any in the future would be the same.
Which was the reason she was ignoring her own sexual needs. Nothing she could do for herself was going to come close to achieving that cataclysmic event, so why bother trying, right?
Thankfully, she had the company of Orianna’s mother to keep her distracted. Since she’d stumbled upon the female in the bedroom near the back stairs, Bijou had found herself drawn to her. And as it turned out, Elizabeth McKay seemed to be fond of Bijou. Good thing the human didn’t realize she was a vampire. She could only imagine the reception she’d receive if she had.
But for now their friendship was continuing to grow, their mutual love ofFriendskeeping them tight. They’d spent the past couple of weeks having marathon sessions in the female’s room, Elizabeth settled in that moving chair while Bijou took the spot on the upholstered chair beside her. Over the past couple of days, Orianna had begun to stop by more often. It was clear to Bijou she had something she wanted to say to her mother, but she couldn’t quite let go of whatever it was.
Speaking of Orianna…
The female appeared in the doorway, drawing Bijou’s and Elizabeth’s attention.
“Honey, are you all right?” Elizabeth asked by way of greeting.
“I’m…” Orianna nodded.
“Perhaps I should give you two a minute alone.”
Before Bijou could get to her feet, Orianna was at her side, gently touching her arm. “Please don’t go.”
There was pain in Orianna’s brilliant blue eyes, the color having changed since her return from wherever they’d gone. No longer were they a soft cornflower blue but more of a … well, it was difficult to explain because they were technically the same color, only now they seemed lit from within.
“Mom, could we turn off the television for a minute?”
“Of course, honey.” Elizabeth stabbed the button on the remote to kill the image on the screen.
“I need to talk to you about something.” Orianna dragged the other upholstered chair over so it was closer to her mother.
“Is it about Amber?”
Orianna nodded. “It is, actually.”
Elizabeth’s eyes brightened, so much hope flooding her face. “Did you find her?”
“I… Yes, Mom. I did.”
Oh, boy. Bijou could tell this story wasn’t going to have a happy ending. She knew all about Amber, Elizabeth’s oldest daughter. During the time they’d spent together, she’d gotten an earful about both females. At first, the conversations had been all about Amber and how much Elizabeth missed her. However, those discussions had shifted to be more about Orianna and how proud Elizabeth was of her younger daughter. It was clear Elizabeth loved them both equally, but her heart ached for her oldest because she didn’t know where she was.
“Mom.” Orianna reached out and touched Elizabeth’s hand.
“Are you bringing her home?” Elizabeth asked, although Orianna hadn’t said anything more.
The two females stared at one another for a long moment, the air between them crackling with the pain of loss.
“I’m bringing her home,” Orianna confirmed, her voice quivering, tears forming in her eyes.
“That’s all I’ve ever wanted,” Elizabeth said, her other hand covering Orianna’s.
Bijou swallowed the emotion that was suddenly clogging her throat. Even as a bystander, she couldn’t help but feel for the two of them. She still ached from the loss of her own mother, a feeling she didn’t wish on anyone.
“I need to make sure you understand what I’m telling you,” Orianna said, the last word said on a sob.
