Page 25 of Those That Defy the Realm

I don’t reach any conclusions as tiredness wins out and I’m forced to retire to my own room.

On the way there, however, I move past my own doorway to stand outside of hers. Listening hard I don’t hear any noises coming from either her room, or Ty’s.

Standing there, staring at the wooden door, imagining Claire on the other side, I contemplate turning the handle.

Telling myself it’s to make sure she’s sleeping peacefully, my hand grips the metal before I realise what I’m doing and jump backwards. No, I’m not going to be that guy. Backtracking down the hall, I practically run to my own room, I only unclench my jaw when I’m safely shut inside. My fangs are descended and want nothing more than to go back and seek out the delicate pulse point I spotted on Claire’s neck tonight. My cock is rock hard from thinking about finding Claire in some state of undress, tangled in her sheets, and beckoning me to join her.

Sleep doesn’t come easy, and when it does, all I see is silky pale skin, and feel the soft waves of light hazel coloured hair. I need to get these feelings under control.

CHAPTER 10

CLAIRE

Henry’s gone cold on me.

Again.

For two days he hasn’t said more than a handful of sentences to me, and that has only been when we’ve accidentally run into one another around the house. I had to work in the city again yesterday, but today I’ve been home all day, and he hasn’t sought me out once. He’s stopped appearing in the kitchen when I’m preparing meals, and he’s just generally not around.

I’ve seen and spoken more to Ty today and he’s practically sequestered himself in the guest bedroom the whole time he’s been here.

Enough is enough. I don’t know what happened. I’d thought we’d moved past him ghosting me. He’d explained, and his reasoning seemed legit. Or am I playing the fool once more?

The only thing I can think of, which may have triggered this new episode of distance, was the conversation in the kitchen the other night after I’d gone out for a few drinks with my colleagues and the clients we’re currently working with. Maybe I’d upset Henry more than I realised when I hadn’t come home and spent our usual evening together. But we’d not planned anything, and whilst I’m calling it usual, it has only been a week. Hardly time for him to presume that each and every night would be the same.

The conversation that night had been strange. I’d thought for a second that he was going to kiss me. When he’d stepped towards me and brushed my hair from my shoulder, it had sent an electric shock straight to my core. The disappointment as he’d moved away had made me realise that we may indeed be just friends, and my attraction was only one sided.

Urgh, I hate games. I didn’t take many positive things away from my last relationship, in fact several negatives still linger, clinging to me like cold wet clothing, but my tolerance for people hiding away and not saying what they mean is gone. Cut the bullshit and be open. After the mind games my ex played, and the scars he left, it’s something I can spot a mile off and I won’t stand for it. At least, I thought I could. Henry is certainly challenging my instincts.

I’ve not been working today, so I’ve spent the morning finalising my portfolio for my upcoming interview. I’m pretty sure it’s done but I can’t help making small tweaks here and there before sending it off to the printers for me to collect in a couple of days ahead of the interview. They only requested a digital copy, but I want a physical one with me, and I wanted it printed at the best quality so I’m using a little shop near the uni where I used to print some of my project boards for my studies.

Slamming my laptop closed, having gotten my priority to-do list done for the day, I decide it’s time to go confront the vampire currently trying his best to ignore me once more. Maybe this’ll make it more awkward, considering he’s living here for who knows how long, but I’m hopeful that we can clear the air.

Plus, I miss him. I realise this as I stop by the floor length mirror in the hallway on my way upstairs. Taking my hair out of the ponytail it’s been in all morning, I fluff it up a bit, adding the volume back and check the light eyeshadow I’m wearing hasn’t smudged. Also deciding to remove the hoodie I’d put on to keep the chill off that is always in the office, I feel ready for battle. The dress I have on underneath isn’t anything special; it’s a simple soft and casual bodycon that accentuates my smaller curves but is made of such a flexible material it doesn’t restrict my movements at all. It’s the first time I’ve worn it this year, now that the weather is finally warming up again.

It might be casual but I feel good in it, strong. My ex would’ve hated it. He hated anything that clung to my shape, so that makes me love it even more.

Lifting it slightly so I don’t trip over the full length hem on my way up the stairs, I move with determination. Henry is going to tell me what I’ve done to upset him, and then we can hopefully move past whatever this is. Or he can take a hike and whatever friendship I thought we were developing will be over.

Knocking loudly on his door, I wait impatiently for him to call out. Only he doesn’t. Instead, the door opens and I find myself staring up at this absolute mountain of a man.

Vampire.

Whatever.

Shoving his chest and ducking under his arm, which is resting on the door frame, I storm into the room before he technically invites me. I think I shock him with the force of my entrance because he blinks, hand coming to where I’d made contact with his shirt, rubbing the area like I’d bruised him.

“What gives?” I ask, folding my arms under my chest and glaring at him. I’m letting all the frustration out and not holding back.

Closing the door but not moving from it, I’m taken back to our first conversation. We’re in very similar positions. A pattern is forming and my brain automatically switches to flight instead of fight but I’m here now and I hold my ground.

“What do you mean?” Henry asks.

“You. I mean you. You’ve been avoiding me, again, and I want to know why?”

“I didn’t want you to feel like I was imposing on you. We’ve spent a lot of time together.”

“Bullshit.” His eyes won’t meet mine and he’s fiddling with his fingers even though his hands are resting at his side.