20. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
Calder
“ O kay, I just purchased the tickets,” I announce before standing up and cracking my back. A groan slips out of me when my back pops and I feel some relief. Gods, I feel old. Aiden looks over at me biting at his bottom lip as his gaze travels the length of my body. My cock twitches from the look in his heated gaze, and I swallow hard.
“I also managed to get us a hotel room,” I mutter absentmindedly as I watch him watching me. I run my hand through my hair and his eyes dart to the movement. His brow scrunches like my words just registered and his eyes dart to mine.
“Why do we need a hotel room,” he asks in a slightly breathy tone that has me hardening again. I have to clear my throat before I can even attempt to answer his question.
“I’m not sure how long it’s going to take to track down Dracula,” I muse, and a smile pulls at the corners of my lips as his eyes dip down once more like he’s having a hard time paying attention.
“I thought you knew where he was,” he mutters as if lost in his own thoughts. I watch him shift in his seat and that little tongue of his pokes out to swipe along his bottom lip. I notice that his fangs have also elongated.
“Roughly I know where he is, but that could have changed for all I know,” I explain, “if we have to be there longer than I had anticipated then I much rather do it in comfort.”
“Have you ever met him,” Aiden asks uncertainly his eyes finally meeting mine.
“No,” shaking my head I slowly walk around to the front of my desk and lean back on it crossing my arms over my chest, “I’m not really sure what to expect. For all I know he could be out there somewhere living his best life.”
“This all feels so,” he pauses for a moment waving his hand in the air, “uncertain. Are you sure we’re not just wasting our time on a wild goose chase? I mean, like if these are my last few days on earth, I can think of other ways to spend it than chasing after a rogue vampire.”
“Aiden,” I grit out as I clench my fists against the sides of my body. I take a deep breath trying to get myself back under control, “please don’t talk like that.” I swipe a frustrated hand down my face before looking back at him and with a slow smile I say, “I know just how much you love the chase, little bat.”
His eyebrows shoot up to his hairline in surprise.
“What,” he squeaks and attempts to hide himself behind his tablet. I cross the room in just a few strides before sitting close to him. He tries to wiggle away from me, but I quickly pull him into my lap. With a shocked yelp, he slowly settles against me.
His little hitch in his breathing lets me know he’s thinking about what we did not too long ago. I know I am. My cock pulses against his plush as and I bite back a groan. He clears his throat and shifts against me.
“It might be a little different, but I’m sure you’ll rise to the occasion,” I murmur darting my eyes down to his crotch pointedly.
“And I thought I was the bad influence,” he mutters under his breath. He ducks his head under my chin trying to hide from my knowing gaze.
“Now boarding train number 263 to New York,” a voice sounds loudly over the intercom of the busy train station. “Remind me why we had to take the train instead of flying to New York,” Aiden grumbles looking over at me with his black eyeliner eyes narrowed. I bite down on my lip but shake my head, “I’ll tell you when we get seated.”
He lets out a disgruntled huff hitching his cute little stuffed voodoo teddy bear backpack higher on his shoulder but follows me all the same. I can’t help but be thankful he doesn’t fight me on it.
“You have the tickets though, right,” he grumps as he stomps behind me. He’s definitely not in a happy mood right now.
“Yep, I got them on my phone,” I say over my shoulder as I pull my phone from my pocket.
My footsteps slow so that I can walk beside him, and he looks over at me from the corner of his eye.
“Please, little bat, don’t be mad at me,” I mumble feeling my stomach churning with worry. He lets out a slow deep sigh and grumbles, “I’m not mad at you, Calder. I’m just upset you didn’t tell me. I thought we were flying there.”
“Would you like me to carry your backpack,” I mumble and he gives me a pointed look.
“Calder,” he huffs out with an eye-roll, “you’re already carrying all the other bags because you wouldn’t let me help. I think I can manage my backpack.”
“Right… well, if you change your mind, I’ll gladly carry your backpack for you,” I explain.
Slowly his hand reaches out to take ahold of mine. His little fingers curl around the palm of my hand and warmth spreads through my cold dead chest. At least he’s not too upset with the arrangements if he’s willing to hold my hand.
When we get on the train, I direct him to the little private cabin that I purchased. Holding the door hope I let him go ahead of me. He rolls his eyes again like I’m insane, but I do have manners after all.
I put all the bags on one of the bench seats and turned to find him already seated on the other bench. He stares out the window watching people walking by with a pensive expression on his face.
“It would have been so much faster to fly there,” he continues in a gloomy tone, and I should have known he wasn’t going to let it go that easily.
I’m almost positive it's nerves that have him in a foul mood. I don’t know, but it seems like a reasonable explanation. Maybe he doesn’t like being around other people for long periods of time. That could be it. My little bat is rather anti-social. I sit down beside him and breathe a sigh of relief when he doesn’t try to scoot away from me. That would have broken my heart.
I may have not told him that I purchased train tickets instead of airplane tickets. I can understand how that could be upsetting for him. Must have slipped my mind. I mean, it’s not as bad as he’s making out to seem though… is it? I did spring for the first-class seats at least. I wanted to make sure he was as comfortable as possible during our trip. We even got our own little cabin on the train away from all the other passengers.
“The closer we are to the sun the less effective our rings work. Could you just imagine if we both caught on fire mid-flight?” I bite down on the inside of my cheek as I try my best not to fidget in my seat. I don’t want him to catch on to my little white lie. We just got on the train and I don’t want him trying to get off it.
The cushioned bench seat beneath me squeaks as I turn towards Aiden. My leg bounces with my nerves. Aiden makes a little grumpy sound as I jostle him with my anxious movements.
“That would have been one way to go I suppose,” he mumbles grimly crossing his arms over his chest as he looks over at me, “It would have been so much faster though. Couldn’t we have caught a night flight?” Fuck, he’s on to me! He says it again to emphasize his point. I avert my eyes from him, and he lets out an irritated huff.
“Are you lying to me, Calder? I feel like you’re lying to me,” he grumbles and reaches over to tug on my sleeve to get my attention. I guess I can’t avoid this forever. I shift around running my anxious hands through my hair. I let out a sigh and whispered nervously, “I’m afraid of flying.”
There I said it. I told him the truth. I mean, I said it like I was sharing a secret, but still, I said it. Maybe if I don’t say it loud enough it won’t be such a big deal. I nod to myself as I run the palms of my hands over the tops of my thighs.
“What was that?” Aiden asks as he tilts his head to study me. His red eyes darken as he narrows them at me in accusation.
“I’m afraid of flying, alright? I don’t like it! It scares the shit out of me,” I grit out, “I have no control whatsoever.”
“And you have control on a fifteen-hour train ride,” he questions swiping his hand down his face in frustration. His eyeliner smeared with the action and when he looks over at me again, I have to hold back a laugh. He looks like an adorable little grumpy raccoon.
“Yes, well…” I clear my throat trying not to sound too amused by the sight before me. Fuck why does he have to be so adorable?
“If the train derails, then we can jump from it and still survive. I’ll be able to still keep you safe,” I say with a petulant tone in my voice as I think of what could happen, “I mean, could you just imagine crashing into the ocean? That would be a nightmare. And the sharks!”
“You really have a thing about sharks, huh,” he mutters and glances up at the ceiling of the train like he’s trying to find patience. I don’t blame him, but I’m serious. If I’m going to die, it’s not going to be by a fucking shark. I cringe at the very thought.
He lets out a little hum of agreement and I slowly glance over at him only to find him staring intently right back at me. His gaze softens as he takes in my nervous state. His hand wraps around mine once more and my worry slowly starts to leak out of me.
“You should have told me from the beginning,” is all that he says before laying his head on my shoulder. I let out a little breath that I didn’t even know I was holding.
“I know I should have, Aiden,” I murmur while running my fingers through his messy hair.
“I guess it could always be worse,” he mumbles through a little yawn curling further into my side. Something like dread curls in my stomach at his words.