21
I took the next few days off work to let my bruises and cuts heal. I slept for the most part of Sunday and Monday. I was roused early Tuesday morning to the sounds of boyish laughter and chatter as they joked with one another in my kitchen. They sounded right at home.
By the time I woke up fully later on Tuesday evening, my body wasn’t nearly as sore. My period had finished, the bruises had turned a dull yellow and the cuts were well on their way to being fully healed. My smile was bright when I walked down stairs to see Nav and Caz cuddled up uncomfortably, on my tiny two person sofa, sound asleep. Nav was snuggled under Caz’s arm, his head on his chest.
Kill was flicking through the channels of the TV. Who knew how he could actually tell what was on each channel as he scrolled. Vampire speed, I guess.
His eyes went luminous as I entered the room in the fluffy black robe they had gifted me on our first night together.
“I love the look of you in this.” He spoke softly as he rose to his full height, stretching out his limbs.
His gait was predatory as he walked toward me, a lopsided smile on his face, his perfectly trimmed moustache waxed and shaped.
“And why is that?” I asked as he wrapped his arms around me, enveloping me in his warm and welcome scent, he was exactly the right for our noses to touch.
“Because it's mine.” He placed a kiss on the tip of my nose.
“I like that.” I replied with a soft smile, my eyes slipped closed as I returned the hug, slipping my arms around his waist.
He inhaled deeply, his chest rumbling with satisfaction.
“How long have they been asleep?” I asked, turning my head to look at Caz and Nav.
“Most of the day.” He replied with a yawn.
“Have you slept?”
“Not yet.” He replied with a smirk.
“You should sleep.”
“I needed to make sure my little dove was safe.” His hands were soft as they soothed over my hair and down my spine.
“I don’t think anything will come for me in my apartment, not with three scary vampires on guard.” I smiled and snuggled into his embrace more.
“Four.”
“Four what?”
“Vampires guarding your apartment.” He shrugged.
“Oh right, the cameras outside, and the wards.”
Not just the cameras inside, dove.” Killian nodded to a darkened corner of the room where a small red light was blinking away.
I’d had those security cameras installed not long after I moved into my apartment. Being on my own in a new city had me on edge most nights, so it was a small piece of mind.
“What do you mean?” I asked. “My cameras?”
“He… has eyes everywhere, love.”
“How?”
“Hacked them.” He said nonchalantly.
“How long?” I asked defensively.
“Not long after you installed them.”
“What could he see?” Fuck, I often wandered around in nothing but an oversized t-shirt and no pants while eating for shredded cheese out of the bag in the middle of the night.
“Did you know that you look absolutely adorable with your hair in a messy bun?” His hands wandered until they were low enough to squeeze my ass. “Especially when you’re eating cheese by the handful.” He grabbed a handful of my ass and laughed.
His laugh was the most adorable sound. It filled the room with its warmth and lit up my insides, despite the utter embarrassment I currently felt.
“Oh my god!” I yelped and pushed him away playfully.
Killian pulled me back into his embrace with a wide, fang-filled grin.
God he was gorgeous.
“Would you two get a fucking room?” Caz said, his voice thick with sleep. “We are trying to sleep.”
Caz really wasn't a morning person.
“You two need to get up anyway. It’s well past sundown.”
“Fine.” Nav said just as sleepily. His eyes were still closed as he snuggled deeper into Cazs’ embrace.
“Val wants us to take Ivy to ours.” Killian said with a little more authority in his tone.
“Okay, okay” Nav said with a huff and rose sluggishly to his feet. He stretched his arms and legs and cracked his neck as he rose, his chin had started showing signs of stubble, as if self consciously, he rubbed a hand across his jaw.
Caz towered over all of us as he rose to his full height. His bright red hair was adorably mussed from sleep. He lent down and placed a kiss to the crown of my head before stalking upstairs to make use of my bathroom.
“I can't wait to have you settled in at our home, darling girl.” Nav said as he moved to squeeze between Killian and I. “No offence, but your couch is super uncomfortable.”
“None taken,” I brushed off his jab. “Besides, it wasn't made to fit two fully grown vampires.”
“Ha Ha.” He replied.
“You could have slept in my bed.” I added coyly.
“Darling. Have you seen how much space you take up when you sleep? You look like a bloody octopus!”
“I've never had to really share my bed with anyone before.” I shrugged with a smile.
“You'll have to start learning.” He replied with a wink.
“Bathrooms free.” Caz called from the top of the stairs.
“Join me?” Killian asked, holding out his hand .
“Okay.” I replied shyly.
“Why do you get to hog her!” Caz said as he stomped down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Killian didn't reply, just shot Caz a sideways glance with a raised brow.
“You're no fun.” Caz said as he opened the refrigerator and poked around.
“I'll make coffee.” Nav stated, pulling Caz from the depths of my fridge. “Go sit, you'll end up breaking something.”
Killian took me by the hand and led me up the stairs, shutting the door behind us as we entered my room.
He turned me around until I faced him, and he started to undo the tie of the robe - his robe - that I wore.
“How are you actually feeling, dove?” He asked seriously.
“I feel a lot better, I don't hurt nearly as much.” I replied honestly.
“You sure?”
“Positive.” I gave him a genuine smile.
“I wish I could heal you.” He said as he tucked a wayward strand of my hair behind my ear.
“You can do that?” I blanched.
“Of course.” He looked at me confused. “Have you never read a book or watched a movie before?”
“But that's just stories!” I exclaimed.
“There is always truth in stories, love. How do you think those stories came to be?”
“But you have a reflection?” I asked.
“I do.” He pulled the tie from the robe and placed it on the bed behind him.
“A handsome reflection.” I added with a smile.
“Mmm, I like it when your pretty mouth spills flattery.” He said as he pulled the robe from my shoulders, exposing my naked body beneath. “Fuck, love. Look at you.” He dragged his fang along his bottom lip as he looked me over. His gaze landing on my breasts. The robe slipped from his fingers, forgotten as it flopped to the floor.
“And you can drink, and eat.” I continued, my blood heating under his intense stare.
“We can.” He licked his lips slowly, looking at me as if he was starving and I was his final meal. “Oh, I’m absolutely famished, little dove.” Kill stated, pulling my unspoken thoughts from my mind.
Liquid heat pooled straight between my thighs.
Killian turned then and lay himself down on my bed, nestling himself in the rumpled sheets and plush pillows. The bulge of his cock strained the fly of his jeans.
“Come.” He motioned for me to join him. “Sit.”
I joined him on the bed, sitting gingerly on the edge.
“No, love.” Killian said and pulled me into his lap until I was straddling him.
I giggled in surprise.
“I said I was fucking hungry, dove. Now climb up here and sit on my face so I can devour you.”
I stuttered out an uneven breath, his words eliciting a soft gasp from my lips.
Killian didn't wait for me to climb up to him, he grabbed a hold of my hips and slid himself down the bed in one fluid motion and settled in under me.
His lips laced my inner thighs with nips and kisses, his tongue was gentle as it swirled over my flesh.
He lined his face with my entrance, his breath skating over me.
“Sit.” He ordered from beneath me.
“I'm too heavy.” I protested. “What if you can't breathe?”
“Do I look like I give to fucks about whether I can breathe or not?” He retorted. “I said sit. Now fucking sit.”
Killian grabbed my hips and pulled until my muscles gave way and I was seated on his face.
He wasted no time, his tongue was ravenous as he darted it out, tasting me, fucking me, as he devoured.
“Oh gods.” I moaned as he held me to him.
He was relentless in his endeavour to devour every part of me. His fingers dug into my tender flesh.
“Now ride my face, baby girl. I want to smell you on me for days.” He said between licks and sucks, rocking my hips back and forth against him.
I leaned forward and gripped the headboard and settled in, grinding myself on his face .
“That's it.” He growled from between my thighs.
His lips found my clit.
Killian worshipped, alternating between luscious kisses and soul-sucking pulls between his teeth. His fangs nipped ever so slightly at my sensitive flesh.
I lost myself to the sensation, grinding myself down on him, rocking my hips back and forth.
His tongue was spearing me, his grip like iron as he held me to him. There was no escape.
I could feel my orgasm quickly rise within me, starting at the base of my spine.
I rolled my hips faster, building tension until I finally came apart with a soft pleasured moan.
His devotion never faltered as my body shuttered with the gentle aftershocks.
“Fucking delicious,” He praised as he lapped at me, soaking up the last of my release.
I raised to my knees and slid from him, laying in a sated, boneless pile beside him, my breathing laboured and my muscles still slightly spasming with each gentle movement.
“I could die between your thighs, little one, and I would believe I've reached heaven.” He rolled his face to look at me, his smile lit up his face, his perfect fangs dented his bottom lip.
“Why can’t you heal me?” I asked. “Not that I need it right now.” I tacked on to ease his worry. His eyebrows creased in concern the second my question slipped past my lips.
“We need to be bonded, or turning you.” He shrugged.
“Oh.”
“When do you think…?”
“Val wants to make sure you've thought this through, love.” He placed a kiss to the tip of my nose. “If it were up to me, though.” He grabbed me by the waist and rolled until he was pinning me. His cock was hard against the softest part of me. “I would have bonded you to me three nights ago when I was at your throat.” He rolled his hips and brought his lips to the juncture of my shoulder and neck. His fangs slightly punctured my flesh in the same spot he had drank from me those few nights ago .
“And I would have let you.” I breathed out shallowly.
“I know you would have.” He withdrew his lips from my neck and kissed me, long and deep.
“Would you turn me, too?” I asked once he slowed the kiss.
“Would you want that?”
“I haven't really… thought about it to be honest.” I shrugged.
“Which is why Val wants to wait.” His nose brushed mine.
“Can I still be bonded to you? And Val and Nav and Caz?” I asked. “And then later on, you could turn me?”
“That's definitely a possibility.” He smiled.
I smiled back, and it was a genuine, warm smile.
“Come, let's pack you some things to take with us.” He begrudgingly slid himself from the bed and held a hand to me. I took it and stood on not so steady legs, that orgasm had shaken me more than I thought it had.
Killian steadied me with a laugh, and the sound made my heart swell.
I dressed in comfortable clothes and we packed in companionable silence as I grabbed clothes, toiletries, make-up, and other essentials, and before I knew it, we were downstairs waiting for Brayden to come with the car.
“What took you two so long?” Caz quipped as we walked down the stairs.
I felt my face flame red with my embarrassment.
Killian didn't respond, he just stalked over to Caz, grabbed him by the back of the throat and pulled him down to him. Their lips locked in a passionate, fiery kiss. Caz moaned into the embrace and pulled Killian closer. Their tongues and teeth clashing together as Caz tasted me on Killian's tongue.
Finally, Killian broke apart their heated entanglement with a deep growl.
Caz stood, reaching his full height and re-adjusted his cock in his pants. “I see.” He purred as he turned to find me. His gaze scorched me where I stood. “Maybe wait for us, next time.” He winked.
He stalked across the room and embraced me in an all consuming hug. “Missed you.” He said as he inhaled deeply.
“I've only been gone a few minutes. ”
“It was hardly a few minutes .” Killian scoffed, his hand clutched to his chest like my words had mortally wounded him.
I laughed.
“Even a few minutes, poppet.” Caz said into my hair.
“How did you even get through the last… three years?” I mocked.
“With great difficulty.” Nav called from where he was lounged across all the seats of my couch. Settled in right at home.
I rolled my eyes and smiled a small private smile as I hid my face against Caz's chest. The thought of them waiting for me to find them, impatiently, warmed me.
It wasn't just me pining after them after a one night stand.
We were destined to find one another.
The drive to the boys apartment, or should I say, penthouse, was uneventful.
Brayden pulled the sleek black car into a private underground parking garage. The walls were lined with expensive looking cars and bikes, all of them with badges I didn't even try to pronounce. My gaze then snapped to an old, busted up van.
“That's the van we take when we hunt for unsuspecting poppets.” Caz whispered in my ear when he caught me looking.
“You do it often?” I raised a brow.
“Only once… So far.” He replied with a smirk.
“Is that a warning or a promise?”
“ Fuck. ” Caz replied with a deep growl.
“Come.” Killian said as he came up behind me. With my bag in one hand, he placed the other hand in mine and entwined our fingers. “Val will be wondering what’s taking us.”
“Doesn't he have cameras everywhere?” I quipped.
Nav let out a hearty laugh, the sound warm and rich. I smiled at the sound. “That he does, darling.”
Killian tapped a keyfob against a small black pad under the elevator numbers and we rode it all the way up to P.H 1 level.
The doors dinged open and we stepped out into what I could only describe as sheer elegance and class.
There were floor to ceiling windows around the entirety of the living room which opened into a massive chef kitchen.
The walls that weren't open to the glittering London skyline were all painted a stunning deep jewel toned emerald green, paintings and portraits dotted the walls.
There were dull lamps in every corner, filling the room with a warm, welcoming embrace.
The furniture that filled the room was all plush dark mahogany leather and wood. Throw blankets that were made of the softest fur, were thrown over the corners of each of the most comfortable looking couches I had ever seen. Pillows of gold, green and red were scattered across them.
A massive dining table filled the centre of the room where at least fifteen black velvet chairs were stationed. A golden candelabra decorated the centre of the table, its seven candles lit the table with a yellowed glow. Wax dripped down each stick until it hardened precariously close to the table top.
It was the cottagecore, dark academia home of my dreams.
“Welcome home.” Vaylen spoke to my right.
I gasped and spun, not even seeing him approach, too stunned by the beauty of his, their, home.
“It's beautiful.” I breathed.
“Thank you, mon amour. ” Vaylen replied and held his hand out to me. He was dressed once again in crisp slacks and a loose button down shirt, the buttons undone to his sternum. “Come, let me show you around.”
Killian, Caz and Nav all split off to do their own thing. Nav went behind the wet bar, pulling bottles and bottles down from the shelves to make who-only-knew what.
Caz followed, pulling up a barstool to the counter to watch him work.
Killian disappeared down the expansive hallway with my bag .
Vaylen's hand in mine was large and comforting, he squeezed slightly, his raven hair slipping into his eyes, he tossed it back with a flick of his head.
“How are you feeling?” His voice was like velvet.
“Well.” I smiled a soft smile.
“Good.” He nodded and pulled me forward into his embrace. His lips were soft as they moulded themselves to mine. Tasting me in slow, languid sips from my lips. He was thorough, every corner of my mouth was explored with his tongue as he relished in the taste of me. “Come, before I get utterly distracted by you, my little devil.”
The penthouse was massive, the main bathroom had a spa bath big enough to fit at least six people. The black and gold marbled tiles lined the walls and floor.
Navien, Cairn and Killian all had their own rooms, and each had its own adjacent ensuite bathroom, and those ensuite bathrooms were just as large as the main bathroom.
We stopped at a large set of double doors. “And here.” Vaylen said with a proud smirk. “Is my favourite room.”
He swung open the door to reveal another set of floor to ceiling windows, but each other wall was filled from bottom to top with bookshelves. Row after row of novels and ledgers and encyclopaedias and journals filled the room.
The room was a kaleidoscope of colours, the smell warmed something deep within me.
In the corner, a deep green coloured reading chair and lamp was inviting as it looked out upon the park below.
I gasped as I took it all in, everywhere I looked, something new stole my attention.
“You like?” Vaylen asked.
“Like?” I almost shrieked. “I'm obsessed!”
“I'm glad to hear it.” Vaylen replied with a smile on his face, his gold capped fang glinted in the soft light of the lamps. “This isn’t all I wanted to show you.” He nudged.
We exited the library. I could live in that room and be a very, very, happy girl.
“Well, hopefully you’ll be a very happy girl when you see what's next.” He plucked the words from my mind.
“I can’t wait to do that back to you.” I said as a warning, but a smile kicked up the corner of my lips.
“Mmm, I like the sound of that.” Vaylen smirked. “Come.”
The next door we stopped at was right beside the library and directly opposite another set of double doors.
“My room is just across there.” Vaylen said and motioned to the double doors I had just been eyeing off.
I nodded.
“And this,” He pushed open the doors with flourish. “Is your room.”
For the umpteenth time tonight, I was completely speechless.
My room was decorated with dark, plum coloured walls, a huge black canopy bed draped with deep crimson curtains and sheer black fabric. Plush fur rugs dotted the floor.
There was an electric fireplace on one wall that was turned on and warmed the room to perfection. The light from its real-looking flames licked over every surface.
The mantle was black and marble, the top lined with golden candlestick holders and lush looking ornaments.
This room also had the perfect view of the below park and river that snaked its way through it. The lights of a sleeping downtown London twinkled from below.
“Can you say something?” Vaylen asked into the silence.
My mouth was agape as I took everything in, circling on the spot.
“Mine?” I stuttered out.
“Yours.” He replied. “If you'll have it.”
“Are you – ?”
“If you ask me if I am sure one more time, mon amour.” He threatened.
I gulped past the rising desire that clogged my throat at the danger that dripped from his voice.
“It's perfect.” I whispered.
Vaylen didn't say anything in return, just pulled me to him again, his lips once more finding mine in an instant. This time, they weren’t reserved, they were claiming and all consuming. My eyes slipped closed as I melted into his embrace, our tongues warring with one another. The surroundings faded away as I gave myself over to him completely.
His hands were in my hair, stroking down my arms and spine, gripping my hips as he pulled me closer, my hands fisted the fabric of his shirt.
He finally broke apart the kiss, his forehead coming to rest against mine. He breathed in deeply. “You are too easy to get distracted with .”
I sighed, contentedly. Happy to just be in his embrace.
“One more room to show you.” He said reluctantly.
“Yours?” I asked.
He nodded ecstatically and held his hand out for me to take once more.
He led me back out into the hallway to the doors directly opposite mine.
“My bedroom choice was deliberate, wasn't it?” I smirked.
“Convenient, isn't it?” He winked and opened the doors to his bedroom.
Inside was the largest bed I had ever seen. It was at least two super king sized beds long, fitted with the smoothest, shiniest looking black silk sheets I had ever seen.
“We usually all like to sleep together.” Vaylen shrugged when I let go of his hand and walked further into the room. “We like to have our own space, but when we sleep, we like to be together.” He stated again, reiterating the importance of this to him.
I didn’t reply, just slowly entered the large room.
“We had hoped you would… join us.” He said, and it sounded almost like he was uncertain.
“Are yo – ?”
“I swear to the fucking fates if you ask if I am sure one more time.” He pinned me with a predatory stare. “Of course I'm fucking certain.”
“Okay.” I said smally.
“I had plans to fuck you from one end of this bed to the other.”
“Oh.” My insides turned to liquid heat.
“And I will have fun watching everyone else do the same.”
I gulped. “You promise?”
“We can start right now, if you'd like?” He stalked slowly toward me, like a hunter honing in on his prey.
Suddenly, the door to the room burst open and Killian stalked in.
“Val, it's Chloe for you.”
“Tell her I'm busy.” His stare never wavered.
Chloe was still on their payroll then, I wondered what she's doing with herself now.
“Still at Vice's, dove.” Killian answered my unasked question. “She says it’s rather urgent.”
“So help her if it's not.” He swore darkly, straightening to his full height and took the phone from Killian's waiting hand.
He stalked from the room talking in a hushed but heated tone down the phone.
“Come, dove. Navien has made drinks.”