parted his lips, and his tongue explored my mouth until it found mine, and they were moving together in their own rhythm, completely in sync.
Diego was responding to my touches both physically and emotionally. I could feel his excitement as if it were my own. Heat flowed through my veins, carried by my blood down to the apex of my thighs. I ached with need for him, the slick wetness between my legs begging to be filled with him.
I love you.
“What?” I panicked and pushed him off me.
“What?” Diego asked, completely confused.
“What did you say?”
“I didn’t say anything. Are you okay?”
“No, I, um, have to go,” I said, tucking the apartment key into my pocket and running out. I felt his overwhelming confusion but ignored it.
Too soon. Way too soon. I didn’t know which was more terrifying: the fact that I couldn’t tell who that rogue thought belonged to or that there was even a rogue thought to begin with. Was it our strange bond speaking, or was I really that pathetic? Nope. Too soon. I didn’t do love. This was a Yaz level of commitment, and there was no way in hell I was going down that road right now. I needed to focus on myself. Figure out this vampire bullshit so I could have a semblance of a normal life.
I made my way to my dorm room and opened the door. I had a few things here I wanted to take over to my new apartment.
“Did you get your license?” Betty asked. She was wearing an elegant nightgown made of silk with high-heeled slippers. I stared at her sensual outfit for a lingering moment before replying.
“Yep,” I replied. “Am I interrupting something? You looked dressed for a gentleman caller.” I grabbed a few items and shoved them into a red duffel bag I found on the floor. Thank suck I was moving to my own apartment. I didn’t want to hear Betty’s moans all night.
Betty laughed. “I dressed up for myself. You don’t need a man to look or feel sexy, Drew. I ordered one of your toys online, and it’s supposed to arrive today.”
I hated Betty for making me this way, but I loved her for being such a badass. “Ooh, what did you order?”
“The Electrical Banana. Sixteen speeds? Brilliant.”
I pressed my hand to my chest. “Was that a compliment, Bitchy Betty?” I asked, letting her nickname slip.
“I don’t play around with pleasure. Before I was changed, I was half out of my mind. Sex was a distant memory. I feel like I got a second chance. I’m not taking it for granted.” I nodded with a half-smile. I’d heard that Betty had dementia before she was turned. I couldn’t imagine feeling like a prisoner in my own mind. “I know, you’re going to hate me for all eternity because I changed you...blah, blah, blah,” she said while waving her hand. “But since I’m an old woman, I’ll give you some unsolicited advice.”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek and crossed my arms over my chest. “Go on. Let’s have it.”
“You are an empowered woman. Already miles ahead of me when I was your age. You don’t take shit. You stand your ground. If your complete lack of fashion sense weren’t an issue, I might actually try being your friend.”
“I thought you were giving me advice, not insulting my clothes,” I deadpanned.
“I’m getting there,” Betty said with a sigh. “Don’t let your ego get in the way of the journey, darling. You can be a strong, independent woman and still fall in love.”
I sat down on the floor and started folding some of my clothes to put in the bag. “Have you ever been in love, Betty?”
“Once,” she said before looking at her nails. “But he was poor, and I was determined to live a comfortable life. Let me tell you something, comfortable is boring. I’m now on the greatest adventure of my existence, and I’ve got no one to share it with but my lame ass grandson, who is currently rotting in prison for changing me.”
I didn’t want to admit it, but Bitchy Betty was pretty interesting. “I suppose we can meet up every now and then for lunch,” I said. “If you get bored and want to talk to someone.”
Betty tipped her head and laughed. “Child, you are the last person on earth I’d run to for company. Wipe that pity off your face, and worry about that sexy king trying to get in