can help. He can teach you some really helpful skills to help defend yourself.”
“Claire! I’m a human, if you haven’t forgotten. I can’t defend myself against a vampire,” she replied, sounding defeated.
“Yes, you can!” I countered. “We aren’t as all powerful as you might think, ya know? We have weak points and Eli can teach you what they are.” I couldn’t hide the grin that spread across my face. I woke up a genius tonight! I only hoped it would continue for the rest of the evening.
“They do?” I could feel the hope flourishing within her. “Like what?” she scooted off the edge of the bed and looked at me expectantly, her blue eyes locked onto mine.
“You’ll see.” I winked at her. She rolled her eyes in response when her stomach growled noisily. “Hungry?”
“Starving,” Liz replied as she moseyed to the bathroom.
“Get dressed and I’ll meet you for dinner.”
“Yeah, yeah, just make sure there’s coffee!” And with that she slammed the bathroom door.
I came back to find my bedroom aflutter with activity. But the few servants who were making my bed, and collecting my dirty laundry weren’t what halted my steps. My nose wrinkled as I sniffed at the air, pulling me toward the small glass table near my couch.
A small, crystal glass with an elegantly swiveled stem sat waiting for me. It was filled nearly to the rim, and the sight of it sent my mouth watering. I smiled politely, making my way to the glass while trying to maintain my composure. Last night’s meal felt like ages ago and my hunger burned inside me. I brought the crimson liquid to my lips, taking a long draught before pulling it away. Gasping at the warmth that shot through me, I licked me lips like a hungry tiger.
I swirled the blood in the glass as if it were a fine wine when I glimpsed Arrick on the balcony out of the corner of my eye. My heart fluttered at the sight of him, and before I knew it my feet were carrying me to his side. I leaned my shoulder against him as his eyes traveled across the city. I could feel the turmoil charging through his mind.
Without a word, he wrapped his arm around me, pulling me into his hard chest. A sigh escaped my lips as his embrace soothed me; it always soothed me. Being near him made all my worries feel less menacing. Maybe that’s what love was? When you’re with them anything feels possible. He had done so much for me; more than I’ll ever know. How could I ever repay him?
I snuggled myself deeper under his arm, listening to the sound of his heart against my ears. “I’m glad we’re back,” I said in a whisper.
“Me, too.” He dropped a kiss on my head, as he squeezed me closer to him. We stood there in silence just enjoying the beauty of the city below, and the moon above. I wished I could stand out here with him forever, but I knew I couldn’t. At least not yet. Some day we could have as many moments like these as time would allow, and time was something we both had plenty of.
“Will you have dinner with me?” I looked up at him, oddly nervous about his answer. Something inside me prayed that he would say yes, but feared he would say no. His face dropped to mine, puzzlement wrinkling his brow. “What’s wrong?”
“You’ve just never asked me to do anything with you before.”
“Oh.” Did that mean his answer was no? I stepped away from his embrace, ready to retreat back to my room or maybe even to my bathroom. I liked to lock myself in bathrooms.
Arrick latched onto my arm as I turned to leave. “Where are you going?” I opened my mouth to reply, but only managed to stutter hopelessly. “Come here.” He pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around me, enclosing me in his muscular embrace; the scent of aftershave filling my senses. “I’d love to go to dinner with you.”
His fingers clasped my chin, pulling me to his waiting lips. They were warm, and eager for me, and I met them with fervor. His fingers tangled in my hair as passion wove its way between us. As his tongue slipped between my lips, I welcomed it, matching his desire with my own. My body melted into his. Kissing Arrick was simply magical.
Had we not needed air to breath, we could have kissed each