Between earlier at the club and what occurred just a few minutes ago, I’m beat. It’s going to take a long night’s rest and plenty of water to get me back to a healthy mental state, one where I’m not questioning why this hot-as-fuck vampire is so decent at after care. What did he even owe me for this? He didn’t have to feed me his blood, and he definitely didn’t have to stick around to make sure my needs were met. I could have crawled to my room, found something in my drawer of toys, and managed the pain myself.
I wince at the sudden pounding in my head.Too much thinking, not enough breathing.
“How do you feel?” Gray asks, peering down at me. He drags one cool hand along the curve of my cheek to the line of my jaw with the lightest of touches. My stomach flutters.
“Better.” I sigh. He runs the pad of his thumb along the side of my neck where I was bitten, leaving a trail of flushed skin in its wake. “Amazing, honestly.”
“You healed beautifully.” He takes my wrist next and turns it slowly.
“All thanks to you.”
“Isn’t that something?” He doesn’t smile, but his lips do quirk up at the corners. I don’t see the humor in it or sense any amusement. “Do you think you can manage a bath on your own?”
I perk up. “I think so.”
He turns at the waist, with me still in his lap, and then helps me slide into the bathwater. It isn’t as hot as before, but it does feel nice on my skin.
“Clean up.” He stands and collects his shirt from the floor. Before he leaves, he slips it on over his head and glances back. “I’ll be waiting.”
After my ten-minute tepid bath, I head to my bedroom and dress myself in a pair of leggings and my favorite sweater. I don’t do a thing with my hair or my makeup, which makes me feel slightly exposed. Maybe even nervous, which is insane because I normally wouldn’t care how I look lounging around the house. But now? Well, there’s a vampire living here who’s fingered me twice. It might be a little late to feel the way I do, but it doesn’t stop the nerves from pummeling into me, anyway.
Back in the living room, Gray is standing near the front door, dressed like he’s ready to leave.
“Headed out?” I wonder timidly.
Gray turns his head. “I am, but I thought I’d ask you to join me.”
“Oof. Honestly? Not sure I’m in the mood to hunt for blood with you.” I wrinkle my nose at the thought of standing by while he takes his meal from some random person. Truth be told, if I hadn’t just been attacked, I would have offered myself. I’m atit-for-tat kind of girl. He gave me a mind-shattering orgasm, I figure I could let him take a few swigs from the old wrist.
“That’s not what I had in mind.” He tips his head back to the ceiling, a smirk playing on his perfect lips.
“Okay. So where are we going?” I’m already moving to the door where my best boots are waiting. I peep my coat in Gray’s waiting arm. He’s definitely got somewhere in mind.
With a little laugh, he says, “To church.”
Cold seeps into my veins, shoes forgotten. I don’t have to ask for anything more specific than that. I know exactly where he wants to go, and it might actually be a dealbreaker. After Halloween, I swore to myself and whatever deity was on my side that I would never step foot in that place again.
“Why?” I turn on my heel fast. The alarm in my voice is clear as day, which catches his attention immediately. Gray closes the space between us and slips a finger under my chin. He tilts me up to look into his beautiful, shining red eyes. Moments ago, that hand was expertly pressing all my buttons to bring me to climax, and spreading me so that his tongue could fuck me deeper. His duality is a blessing.
“Millie, there isn’t a single reason to be afraid.” His voice is low and soothing. “I’ll be with you.”
I can feel my breathing start to quicken. “That still doesn’t answer my question.”
“The church is where ourfriendwas last seen. I want to see for myself if the body is still there or not.” He relinquishes my chin and straightens, holding out the coat for me to take. If he plans to run us there like he did from the club, I’m going to need a hat and scarf.
“Do you think I’m lying?” I can’t stop myself from asking.
“No, I don’t.” He shakes his head and jams his free hands into the pockets of his own jacket. It’s a simple leather piece, and itisn’t one I recall buying for him at the Black Box. It would have made an impression if I had, though. He looks hot as hell.
“Then what? Are you going to sniff out some clues?” I shrug into my coat and then lean down to tie up my boots.
“More or less.”
A cursory glance at the clock on the wall in the living room tells me it’s almost midnight. Time sure flies when you’re having fun, I guess.
“Okay, just give me a second.”
I put a hand into my coat pocket and pull out the money I made earlier tonight, along with my phone. Cash in hand, I rush back to my room and tuck it under my mattress for safe keeping, though I keep a couple bills for myself. It’s a dated practice, but I don’t have the time to dig out my lockbox. I’ll just do a deposit sometime in the next couple of days. It’ll feel good to put all that cash back into my savings.
