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Theo leans forward, arms resting on the table. His long fingers intertwine. ‘You can call this entire thing off, if you want to. We can go our separate ways. You can always change your mind on wanting answers. You can even go back to your family. You have the power to decide how your life goes from here.’
The thought of Theo and I separating makes my heart squeeze uncomfortably, as though we’re somehow attached and if we tried to separate, it would kill both of us. That seems ridiculous to think, but somewhere deep down, I know we have become tied together.
‘And turning … it’s not just a bite and some dramatic music like in the movies. It’s a decision. You have to want it. You need to accept it, because there is no going back once you have crossed that line. You hand your soul over and it doesn’t feel like it belongs to you anymore.’
That makes my skin prickle. The way he says soul, like it’s something you can actually hand over in a transaction.
‘I used to think I’d rather die than become one of you,’ I say. ‘But now I’m not so sure.’ His eyes are as dark as ash and fixed on me with an intensity that has me locked into place. ‘That scares me,’ I admit in a whisper.
‘I get it, but it shouldn’t scare you, and it’s not something you need to even worry about right now.’
Right now, as in, there is a point in time where I most likely will need to worry about it. A strange rush of tingles shoots through me. Fear, most certainly, but a little excitement too, which is very confusing.
My heartbeat is loud in my ears and we still haven’t looked away from each other.
‘Would you … want that for me? To turn?’
Something flickers in his gaze, but I can’t quite decipher what.
He reaches out then, slow, careful, like he’s afraid to make any sudden movements. His hand brushes mine on the table, and my skin burns where he touches it.
‘We don’t need to talk about any of this right now. I don’t want to scare you, or worry you, when there’s so much going on. Let’s just take it one day at a time.’
When we stand to leave, every head turns toward us, as if we’re famous celebrities who have randomly wandered into the small town.
Theo seems unfazed as he directs me to the front door, but I can’t help feeling paranoid, like somehow everybody knows who we are and has alerted my family back home. We are so far away now, it’s crazy to think like that, but only yesterday we had that bounty hunter appear. Who knows what is going on outside this bubble that we have created for ourselves.
Outside, I tip my head back and keep my eyes on the starry night as we stroll, the warm night breeze washing over us. The town is so nondescript, it seems like anyone who passes through it would simply forget about it and keep on moving.
The space between us closes, and I’m not sure if it’s me stepping closer to him, or him to me. I look up at him and my stomach flips at the way he’s looking at me. The heat of it, spearing down my spine, making me feel like I’m on fire.
‘I used to think vampires couldn’t feel anything real,’ I say. ‘But what is happening right now, I feel like it’s real.’
‘It is real, Cupcake,’ he murmurs.
The wind kicks up dust around us, dry and warm. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, just to do something. To keep my hands from wandering toward him. His gaze drops to my mouth and my pulse thrums in anticipation.
My fingers begin to reach for him, even though I know I shouldn’t. I pause, my hand midway between us, before I turn and walk away, forcing myself to stop this before it starts.
Theo’s fingers curl around my wrist and he yanks me back. I crash into his chest as he turns me. His hand closes around my throat as he pulls me to him, searing me with a hot kiss that has my knees knocking together.
His grip on my throat makes me moan in longing for more. He kisses me desperately, like he’s wanted to do this since the moment he laid eyes on me. He presses me back against the wall of the pub, hands tangling in my hair and I groan, pressing us closer together, even though it’s impossible to get any nearer.
Theo pulls me up and I wrap my legs around his waist, fingers entwining around the back of his neck. My heart pounds violently in my chest and I feel dizzy from it. He drags his mouth across my throat and I turn my head, angling my neck for him in offering. There’s a second of hesitation before his fangs sink into me and I whimper at the feel of them.
He grinds his hips into me as he drinks, long and slow. My breath releases in short, sharp spurts, leaving me desperate for air and for more of him. More of this. I crave his hands on my body. Hands that could crush me, but instead hold me possessively, like I’m his to protect.
Theo’s hand slips down my chest, palming my breast. I gasp at the sensation as the material of my shirt moves, and his fingertip pushes into my bra, sliding across my nipple. It feels incredible and shockwaves course through my body at the intimate touch.
Releasing my neck, he steps back, his eyes searching mine. I offer a small nod, hoping he keeps going. Still keeping me pinned with one hand, he moves his other hand between my legs. He manages to undo the zipper and yank my pants down one-handed. Vampire strength and quick reflexes come in handy in numerous situations, it seems.
The thin fabric of my underwear is soaked and he groans when he feels it. He rubs a finger against me, and I cry out at the friction of it, needing more. Smirking at the sound, he pushes the fabric easily to the side and dips a finger inside me.
He groans, pressing his forehead into my cheek as he moves his finger in and out, curling it perfectly, reaching the most sensitive part of me. Theo moves his mouth to mine and kisses me deeply, allowing me to taste my own blood. I lick it from his tongue before I pull on his lower lip, nipping it. His skin splits, his blood dripping into my mouth and I moan, savouring every drop.
‘Fuck,’ he growls, inserting another finger, driving them into me with a power and speed that has my fingers digging into his shoulders, hard enough to draw blood. ‘The things I want to do to you.’
‘Then do them.’
