Not only am I falling for this town, I’m also falling for Arran.
To hear the effect he’s had on the creatures of Starry Hill, to see his fingerprints in their lives, the incredible legacy he’s built over the centuries, it’s opening my eyes to a whole new side of Arran.
But the best is getting to know him first-hand. We fool around—a lot—but there are a million other little things that make me realize walking away from Arran might not be an option anymore.
In the evenings, Arran likes to sit with me while I cook. I entertain him with stories while he chisels figurines for his Knights & Castles friends, and after, we go for walks with Anita while we watch the sun descend toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of yellows, oranges, and reds.
On the nights when we fuck until sunrise, Arran will carry me up to the turret, bending me over the crenel to scream his name as the rest of the world wakes.
We also now officially have our own jizz couch, much to Tilly’s and my own delight. And Maisie’s too, who I still haven’t shared said jizz’s flavor with, besides mentioning it’s somewhat savory—a quality Bodin also apparently shares with Arran.
Since I’ve been living with Arran, I’ve also learned how he likes to drink his blood—straight out of the fridge and directly from the bag—and I’m not as weirded out by the sight as I thought I’d be. He simply pierces the bag with his fangs and downs it until it’s empty.
I’d like to think that if I were a vampire that I’d enjoy drinking my blood like red wine—slightly cool, and in a fancy chalice while I sip leisurely from it in front of a roaring fire. Like a badass Gothic queen.
When our nightly activities turn particularly vigorous, Arran might replenish himself with not one bag, but two. The latest challenge I’ve set myself is to see how I can get him to need three bags in a single night. I still have one or two tricks up my sleeve to make this happen, if only I can find all of my toys that have disappeared.
Three have been discovered tucked into the back corner under Arran’s bed, totally chewed up by a certain four-legged lady. I guess I might have to thank Anita, because she inadvertently acted as wingman for us—wingdog?
After breakfast, I straddle Arran’s lap—a position I’ve gotten very well acquainted with in this kitchen—and drape my arms around his neck.
“What do you have on your schedule today?” I ask.
Arran’s hands find their way under my shirt, his thumbs stroking lazily across my ribs as he says, “I’m heading over to Shinsu’s dock to meet him and Bodin. We’re going to help Shinsu replace some of the damaged boards and see if the dock needs any other work. If it doesn’t take too long then we’ll walkalong the northern coastline to inspect our borders and see if any spots require reinforcing.”
“You’re lairding it up today.”
“I don’t think that’s an actual word.”
“I just made it one.”
“What are your plans?” Arran asks, and I try to act as natural as possible.
Last night I thought about how I’d answer this question if he asked me, and I decided to stick as close to the truth as I dare without ruining any of the surprise.
I graze my fingers over the nape of his neck. “A few of us are going to The Singing Seahorse to plan our next community event. We’re thinking it might be time for ladies’ night to expand into something bigger, something that might include more of the community.”
“That’s a great idea.”
My dear Arran, you have no idea how great it’s going to be.
After a relatively chaste farewell—by our standards—we’re out of the door and heading our separate ways for the day.
My first stop is Tilly’s place to help her with Rio and Lio since she doesn’t want to miss the meeting and it might be hard trekking up the hill with both of them and the bag of baby supplies.
“Knock, knock,” I call brightly, and push their yellow door open.
Without turning around from her spot on the baby play mat, Tilly says, “I can tell by the sound of your voice that you just got lucky before coming here.”
I grin. “Technically, Arran got lucky too.”
“I’m so happy for the both of you,” Tilly says flatly, but looks over her shoulder to show me she actually means it.
“Thank you. An orgasm—or ten—a day keeps the Audrey sane.” My new motto might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’sturning out to be exactly what I need to put this smile on my face.
I swear my cheeks have been in a perpetual state of pain from all the grins I’ve been sporting. Yes, the orgasms help, but the companionship is unlike anything I thought it could be. Even with the amount of time we’re in each other’s space, Arran still doesn’t annoy me, quite the opposite in fact.
Most evenings I can’t wait to get home and see him again, to hear all about his day, the creatures he met, and what work he has done around the island.
