Cursed (The Brookehaven Vampires #4) (15 page)

“Oliver, I know you’re still hurting. You need this.”

His eyes met mine for a moment. I thought he was going to refuse and say something about how I needed to eat, but he didn’t. In a quick movement he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to him. I trembled with anticipation when he nuzzled my neck. There was just something so sensual about feeding him–my vampire mate.

His fangs sank in a moment later
, and my eyes rolled as every part of me, especially a certain part down low, began to ache for him.

He moaned quietly as he drank, and it
wasn’t long before he wanted more than just blood.

After having his fill from my neck, he sealed the puncture wounds, then his mouth found mine. I was growing familiar with the taste of my own blood. I could taste it when his tongue met mine.

He stood, lifting me with him. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me to the bedroom. His lips were still glued to mine when he jerked the bedding back and laid us down on the bed. He was still hungry, but not for my blood.

He was quick to remove my bottoms. “Condom,” I whispered against his lips as he returned his mouth to mine.

He paused, blinking at me for a moment before the word registered. Then he was off, searching for protection. This is when I realized it was going to be my responsibility to remember this important task when he was this far gone. It was the blood that caused him to have a one-track mind. I noticed it before. There was a difference if we started out with him feeding from me, rather than ending that way. It seemed to trigger something when the blood came first. He became more…primal, more instinctive. It was also more exciting.

Oliver pulled the thick, dark curtains closed when he returned. Then he was right back to where he
’d left off.

I tried to be quiet, remembering that we were now sharing walls with others. But it was difficult not getting lost in the moment. I may have made a little more noise than I had hoped to.

When it was over, and we were both breathing heavily, Oliver propped himself up so that he wouldn’t put his full weight on me. His heavy breathing made me wonder… “Why, when you run, do you not get winded, but when we…you know, you’re always out of breath?” I questioned.

A
half-smile formed on his perfect lips as he looked down at me.

After pulling the sheet over us, he adjusted himself so that he was lying beside me
with his head propped up on his hand.

“I’m used to running,” he said. He grinned. I couldn’t help laughing at him. “It’s not about endurance. I guess it’s about the emotions involved.”

“Hmm,” I responded. I felt the hint of a smile forming.

He smirked at me in return. “What are you smiling about?” he questioned.

He tickled me and I squirmed and squealed under his fingers. To stop me from wiggling away, he kissed me. He pressed himself against my side, showing me that he wanted more, but I had to stop him. I put my hands to his chest. His lips pulled away from mine. He looked down at me, concern in his eyes.

“I love you, but I’m still starving,” I told him.

Another partial grin appeared. “Sorry,” he said, “It’s just, I have a very hard time resisting you.” He pulled me closer, one arm around me so that he was lifting my back from the bed and pressing my bare chest to his. He pressed his lips to mine for a quick, but spine-tingling moment.

“Resist me you must,” I said as he looked into my eyes. “Otherwise, I might starve, and we can’t have that.” I gave him my own crooked smile.

He finally, but reluctantly, let go of me.

After
we put our pajamas back on, Oliver grabbed the room service tray and brought it into the bedroom. We sat in bed and watched TV while I ate my entire, delicious plate of baked ziti.

Oliver put the blood that he
’d ordered in the fridge to save for another time. Thanks to me, he was no longer hungry, or in pain.

The hotel had a game show channel, and Oliver was in heaven. As for me, well, with a full belly, and a very exhausting day behind me, I fell asleep while the TV was still on.

A call from Felix in the middle of the night woke us both. Oliver answered his phone in a sleepy voice.

I got up to use the bathroom while he and Felix spoke. He was off the phone when I returned. Light was coming from the bedside lamp on his side of the bed, but he was still lying down.

“Everything okay?” I asked. I scratched at the back of my hand as I sat on the bed.

“Yeah,” he said as he yawned.

I had heard part of the conversation before going into the bathroom. I brought up what I’d overheard. “So, we have to pay for the damage to the cottage?”

“Unfortunately, we do,” he said, his sleepy eyes focusing on me from where he lay on his back, his head on his pillow. Thanks to my blood, the mark on his face had completely faded.

“Do you know what it’s going to cost?”

“Felix gave me an estimate.” He reached out for my hand, probably so I would stop scratching it. “It’s okay Laney, I can cover it,” he said.

I forced a smile in return. It was my stupid angel who was responsible for the damage. Granted, Oscar had helped, and it’s not like I had asked for the angel. Plus, it’s not like I had any sort of way to pay for the damage. What was I going to do? Call my dad and explain…what? Yeah, I had no choice here.

“Wait,” I said, “did you just wake up like a normal person?”

“Are you saying I’m not normal?” he smirked and rested his other arm behind his head.

“Well, yeah.” I grinned back. “And I’m glad you’re not. Now, I thought you wake up all, well, out of sorts, and it’s not safe.”

“I guess not anymore,” he said. “Another bonding bonus?” He winked and flashed me an irresistible smirk.

“Oh, yeah?” I said, seductively. I crawled across the bed to him. “Show me another bonus.”

He grinned mischievously just before my lips met his.

Madman on the Loose…Again.

I woke to Oliver opening the thick, dark curtains. The sun was freaking bright! I groaned and buried my face in my pillow, shielding my eyes.

“What is wrong with you?” I grumbled into my pillow.

Oliver chuckled at my irritation. I felt the bed move as he crawled in
and cuddled behind me. He wrapped his strong arms around me and pulled me against him.

I turned in his arms and pressed my face to his chest. I relaxed as I took a deep breath. I loved the way he smelled.

“What have I done to deserve you?” he said in a low, affectionate tone.

With my eyes still closed, a smile spread across my face. “Whatever it was, I’m glad you did it.”

He chuckled again. “Felix is on his way, so get up and get ready.”

I rolled onto my back and squinted against the bright sunlight pouring into the room. “Maaan! Is he gonna start bugging us all the time again?”

Laughing at me once again, he left the bed. “Get ready, Laney.”

I huffed, but I forced myself out of bed.

As I brushed my teeth, I thought about Felix. We hadn’t seen him since the whole Zane revelation. We’d spoken to him, but not really on a personal level. I was nervous and also curious how this encounter would go. I was still pretty ticked about the whole Zane thing, to be honest. I was sure that Oliver was, too. I wondered if either of us would express this fact. I didn’t plan to, but that didn’t mean it wouldn’t happen. Like I’d said before, I had no idea if Felix even had control over what he had done. Maybe I didn’t want to know the truth if he had…

I spit the remains of my toothpaste into the sink and did a double-take before rinsing my mouth. I was bleeding, and not just a little.

I looked in the mirror, checking my teeth to see if I could find where it was coming from. My gums felt a little sore, especially around my top eyeteeth. I figured it was probably from brushing too hard. The bleeding wasn’t all that bad, just a little around the gum line, and just around my eyeteeth… I rinsed again and performed a more thorough examination. They appeared fine, the bleeding stopped after a couple more rinses. But it did make me wonder…

I was dressed and sitting on the edge of the bed—of course Oliver had made it while I was getting ready—putting on my socks when he came into the room.

“I ordered you some breakfast,” he said.

“Thanks,” I told him, the distance in my voice making it clear I was distracted.

“Hey,” he said, his tone soft.

I blinked and looked up at him. He was standing right in front of me.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Could your blood make me change?” I asked.

It was his turn to blink in surprise. “What?”

“Can you sharing your blood with me cause me to change into a vampire?” I questioned as I straightened my back.

He took a seat beside me. “What’s going on? Why are you asking this now?”

I explained what happened while I was brushing my teeth.

He didn’t really say anything, other than, “You would actually have to drink from me—drink my blood—after I drained you within an inch of your life. I gave you my blood to save your life. I was only able to do so because I had recently consumed your blood. It was already a mixture of your own. You didn’t consume my blood, Laney, it doesn’t work that way.”

“Oliver,” I said very quietly. His deep, gorgeous green eyes met mine. “Do you think I have a vampire line?”

He didn’t answer, but he smiled, and then he kissed me. His lips were soft and cool and caused my body to move toward his. Then there was a knock at the door, followed by someone calling out, “Room service.”

He left me sitting there, my body yearning after him,
and my mind slightly confused. But the sound of Felix’s voice coming from the other room put all feelings in check. I assumed he had come in as Oliver was getting the room service tray.

I hurried out of the bedroom and took a seat in one of the dark gray chairs in the front room. I pulled my feet under myself as Felix took a seat on the loveseat. Oliver sat on the arm of my chair. He took my hand when he noticed that I was scratching at it, again.

Felix looked to both of us, appearing nervous, but I was the one having a hard time making eye contact. I knew he knew what we had done—that we had done
it
. I knew he knew that we were bonded. I don’t know why, but it made me slightly uncomfortable that Felix was aware of this fact. I wondered if this was also the reason why he seemed nervous, or maybe he was just worried that we were still mad at him over the angel. Which we were.

He inhaled deeply and rested his elbows across his knees, and he folded one hand over the other. His sky-blue eyes settled on Oliver. “Your brother escaped during transport.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” Oliver responded levelly.

I felt his hand tighten on mine. I wondered if it was due to fear or relief. I imagined it was a little of both. Oscar being loose put the females in Oliver’s life in danger, but I knew Oliver
didn’t want his brother to die; even if that was the only way to keep Julz, Hayden, and me safe.

“I did not figure it would,” Felix replied. He turned his attention to the balcony doors. He stared out at the sky as he continued. “Each agent that was involved in his capture and transportation will be thoroughly interviewed.” His focus returned to us. “By me, personally.” His tone caused a shiver to roll down my spine.

Oliver’s hand tightened once again. “That’s a good idea,” Oliver said, his words still steady. Then he continued, and I felt tension in the air. “By ‘every agent,’ I do hope you are
not
including me.”

Felix did not respond.

Oliver stood, his grip slipping from my hand. “Are you implying that I had something to do with Oscar’s escape?” He was almost shouting.

“I am simply stating that every field agent involved will be questioned,” Felix responded, keeping his tone natural.

Oliver took a step forward. “How dare you,” he seethed. “You of all people know damn well I would never do such a thing.”

I pressed myself into the chair, trying to be as invisible as possible.

Felix stood, and Oliver had to look up to keep his glare on Felix’s eyes. Oliver was tall, but Felix still towered over him.

“Have you not done enough to test me?” Oliver spat. “Was the angel not enough? I
don’t know where I wronged you, or what has caused you to doubt me, but I will not tolerate it, and I will not be accused of putting those I love in danger! I would not set my brother free, but I also don’t plan to sit idly and let him die. He is my brother! I know his rights, and I damn well plan to make sure they are followed!” Oliver’s chest was heaving. I wanted to gather him to me and calm him. I wanted to hold him and make his pain fade, but I stayed where I was—silent and still.

“You have not wronged me, my friend,” Felix responded in what I assume
d was meant to be a soft tone. He seemed genuinely hurt that Oliver would think such a thing.

Oliver was pacing behind my chair, in the area between the kitchenette and where we were sitting. “You betrayed my trust!” Oliver snapped. He glared toward Felix.