I suppose I’ll have to ask her about the parameters that would constitute a third-act break up in the morning. Until then…I’ll proceed cautiously, resting only in the knowledge thatsecret identitywas in her list of tropes.
With a smile, I retrieve my earbuds, open CrunchyRoll, and settle in to watchI Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magic Abilitywhile I continue chatting with the woman I’ve just agreed to let write me into whatever story she wants.
So long as, of course, I’m not stuck playing a lead role alone.
Chapter 9
?
Nicknames weren’t in the brief, but I’m not complaining.
August
“So I’m a vampire who wants to drink your blood but who needs permission to do so, and I would usually charm you into giving me that permission like I do with my other victims, but you—being the descendant of a vampire hunter with saintly powers—are immune to my wiles?” Dominic, bleary-eyed in his casket, squints at me over the character sheet I’ve just given him.
Nodding, I beam. “Yes, exactly!”
He drops his attention back to the brief I printed off for him and shoved into his hands the second he yawned awake and lifted the front half of his casket bed in a meager attempt to escape it. His eyes shift to me again. “Makes sense. Next question. Why…are you in here?”
“I’ve been writing. Since our guidelines clearly dictate that privacy and consideration areoptional—” I splay my fingers in an optimistic little rainbow above my head. “—I figured you wouldn’t mind.”
Ali is safe! Ali is well! I have a newproject! I have a new story!
It’s a bright, perfect, wonderful day.
Which is why I’ve been up for most of it, tip tapping away.
Dominic adorably rubs at one corner of his eye. “I believe there was a footnote that delineated privacy and considerationwouldbe in effect whereby it concerned nudity. What if I slept naked? That would be a breach of contract.”
Silly boy thinks our guidelines werecontractual? Oh, he isfun.
Curling a patronizing knuckle beneath his chin, I enjoy the immediate responding flush in his cheeks and murmur, “Oh, Dominic, Dominic, Dominic…it’s so cute when you forget who holds all the power in our relationship. Ready to back out yet?”
Darkness swells in his gaze, and he grips my wrist to plant my palm firmly against his mouth. He kisses, then scrapes his teeth toward my pulse, teasing it. “Not even a little bit, my darling saint. You?”
Sparks of excitement fire off in my brain. “Nope. By the way, I’ve decided you aren’t allergic to the sun.”
Bemusement knits his brows. “Thank…you?”
“Douitashimashite.” Rising, I slip my hand free of his taunting lips. “Get up and get dressed. We’re going on anadventure. To a winery. Or, more specifically, to the restaurant attached to a winery.” Delighted, I clasp my fingers together. “Red wine is aesthetically so pleasing in a vampire story, don’t you think?”
“Oh, darling,” he murmurs, resting his cheek against his palm, “are you attempting to get me drunk this early in the morning?”
“Delirious drunk babbling is an excellent microtrope—especially when the participant is in love. What a marvelous addendum to my otherwiseincrediblyinnocent scheme!” Pushing my hair back, I tug the scrunchie off my wrist and throw the dark strands into a bun. “They open at eleven thirty, so we’ll be participating inotherresearch first.”
A dry smile softens Dominic’s eyes. “Should I be scared?”
“If you’d like, you may pretend to be as a means of emotional manipulation. Initially, your character was going to be smitten and angsty, but having a vampire crippled by the mere possibility of hurting his love with his desire for her bloodfelt a bit…juvenile. I have since recognized the error of my ways and bestowed an immaculate amount of confidence upon you. Your intentions are malicious in nature, your methods underhanded and depraved at their core. You won’t hurt your lovely saint beyond repair because you’ve far better control than an immature youth. If only the cruel matter of our situation didn’t bar you from indulgence, you’d drink your fill of me without hesitation. Because, my dear vampire, although thesuncannot hurt you, thesunshine charactercan.” I giggle, wildly. “It’s a play on the archetype and the fantasy. A fresh take. I’m rather attached to it. What do you think?”
If Dominic turns any redder, I might consider taking him to the hospital. “Depraved, huh?” He averts his eyes. “Aren’t sunshine characters usually paired with grumps?”
“Like my brother?” My nose wrinkles. “No thanks. I prefer regal calm, an unapologetic yearning for control, and a tinge of mental instability that bridges on thorough insanity.”
“Got it.” He stretches his neck and shoulders before pulling himself from the lush, silken casket. All the while, he reviews the character sheet clasped in his hand. His lips purse, and he arches a brow, then he glances down at me. With spare little warning, his hand reaches, and my soul flutters as his warm fingers take command of my chin. His pinky skates down the line of my throat, facilitating a comfortable stretch. He leans in, breath inches from my neck when he whispers in my ear. “How’s this vibe sit with you, darling?”
“Yes, please.” My heart dances. “This isperfect.”
He hums, releases me, and returns his full attention to the pages, continuing to analyze them. “I see you’ve gone withtrueenemies—on opposing sides of a cause, devoid of personal distaste or character irritation. Would you be willing to elaborate your reasoning?”
